Red slime

[Galvan]

have a 75 gallon, 5 animals, 90lbs of LR. have 3 corals and 1 clam.

two of my corals are 3-4 weeks old have been feeding my corals marine snow and phytoplex. I have always had a trace of red slime but this week it has increased quite a bit. Can i vaccum this up. I do not want to use a net due to I think much of it will escape. Is there a good tool to remove this stuff.
water quality is

alkalinity 2.63
PH 8.2
Nitrate 25
calcium 430
Phosphate 0.25

 

[Len]

You can siphon it away. You should find the source of the problem, which is usually nutrients or old light bulbs that need replacing. More water current also usually helps, as does higher alk and pH (e.g. dripping kalkwasser).

 

[Canarygirl]

how do old light bulbs contribute to cyano?

 

[mr_X]

how do old light bulbs contribute to cyano?

as bulbs get old, the spectrum changes. cyanobacteria likes the red spectrum, which bulbs start to emit as they age.

 

[Anonymous]

I've found the more common cause of red cyanobacteria is too much dissolved organic carbon in the water. Check or upgrade your skimmer. Treat your tank as prescribed below. Then do a water change after treatment.

The treatment is to add a flocculant to the tank.

A good product that helps flocculate DOC is called "Chemi-Clean" by the makers of "Chemi-Pure". I have used it on several occasions and it is truly reef safe. After adding it for 2 consecutive days, on the third or forth day I change a lot of the water.

This product works well to kill cyanobacteria or "blue-gree" algae as well by removing their DOC nutrient source.

 

[wiszmaster]

I personally would NOT recomment using chemicals to patch your problem.

Find the source of the issue, and treat accordingly, instead of applying a patch.

There have been many reported .. near tank crashes due to ChemiClean - Yes, because people didn't stick to the instructions 100% - but still.


Definatively check into the age of your bulbs - as reported above, when bulbs age, the spectrum of light they emit shifts to a more favorable spectrum for algae to develop and grow.
Also check into the nutrient level of your tank, and try to fix whats causing it.
How much are you feeding? maybe cut back on the feeding a little.
Is your protein skimmer working as it should, and properly sized for your tank and bio-load?

What are the corals you have in your tank? I see the bubble coral ... what else?

When you say "marine snow" are you talking about Julian Sprungs "wo Little Fishies PhytoPlan" ?

You have very little coral - i don't believe you'd really need to feed your corals much of that ... if any at all.

If you're doing it for your clam, I don't believe you will need for it either.
The clam get most of its food source from the algae that lives within its mantle. (needs light to survive & flourish) Clams will also take the 'dirt' in the water (phosphates) and other misc waste products and use it for their own benefit.

What kind of fish do you keep in the tank?


take care & best of luck.

--marco