HELP! Red slime
- Thread starter Stewhit
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mr_tap_water
Well-Known Member
Hi there
Couple of things worth a try increased flow make sure there's no dead spots and continue siphoning off as much as possible, more water changes, slow up on the feeding, all worth a go, good luck[emoji846]
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Couple of things worth a try increased flow make sure there's no dead spots and continue siphoning off as much as possible, more water changes, slow up on the feeding, all worth a go, good luck[emoji846]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Blue Space
Well-Known Member
What he said. 
Algae problems are one of the most asked about problems. I have posted this before, but it's worth repeating...
DaveK's Standard Lecture #2 - Algae Control
Algae control comes down to controlling nitrates and phosphates. If you have a problem with algae it is because these two nutrients are out of control. Do not think that just because your test kits read zero or low values that you do not have a problem. In many cases the algae is removing the nutrients and growing. This is why there is a problem.
Here are possible sources of nitrates and phosphates -
Feeding, especially flake food and not rinsing frozen foods before feeding.
Using tap water to mix salt. Always use RO/DI water for this.
"Dirt traps" and "nitrate factories" in the system.
Low quality carbon can leach nutrients.
Low quality salt can sometimes add nutrients. This is unusual today.
Livestock load on the system
Here are possible ways to remove nitrates and phosphates -
Water changes. Change 1/2 the water and you reduce the nutrients by 1/2.
Skimming. Remove the waste products before the biological filtration need to break then down.
Nitrate and phosphate removal products.
Deep sand beds.
Refugiums.
Algae Scrubbers.
Each of these has advantages and disadvantages. Most people that control algae well use many of the above methods.
There are also other items that can effect algae growth rates.
Good clean up crew.
Other livestock that eats algae.
Low general water quality, especially when the readings are off.
Lighting, sometimes you can reduce it, especially in FO or FOWLR systems.
Old light bulbs. Colors change as they age and this can be a factor.
Water flow. More flow will often help keep algae down.
Manual removal. Very important, especially when there is a big problem.
end of standard lecture
Additional thoughts on red slime control. Never ever use one of the "red slime remover" products. While they do kill red slime, they only mask the problem, and if you don't fix the root cause of the problem, all you'll do is replace one problem algae with another. I know it's tempting to want to fix everything fast by using one of these products, but avoid them.
DaveK's Standard Lecture #2 - Algae Control
Algae control comes down to controlling nitrates and phosphates. If you have a problem with algae it is because these two nutrients are out of control. Do not think that just because your test kits read zero or low values that you do not have a problem. In many cases the algae is removing the nutrients and growing. This is why there is a problem.
Here are possible sources of nitrates and phosphates -
Feeding, especially flake food and not rinsing frozen foods before feeding.
Using tap water to mix salt. Always use RO/DI water for this.
"Dirt traps" and "nitrate factories" in the system.
Low quality carbon can leach nutrients.
Low quality salt can sometimes add nutrients. This is unusual today.
Livestock load on the system
Here are possible ways to remove nitrates and phosphates -
Water changes. Change 1/2 the water and you reduce the nutrients by 1/2.
Skimming. Remove the waste products before the biological filtration need to break then down.
Nitrate and phosphate removal products.
Deep sand beds.
Refugiums.
Algae Scrubbers.
Each of these has advantages and disadvantages. Most people that control algae well use many of the above methods.
There are also other items that can effect algae growth rates.
Good clean up crew.
Other livestock that eats algae.
Low general water quality, especially when the readings are off.
Lighting, sometimes you can reduce it, especially in FO or FOWLR systems.
Old light bulbs. Colors change as they age and this can be a factor.
Water flow. More flow will often help keep algae down.
Manual removal. Very important, especially when there is a big problem.
end of standard lecture
Additional thoughts on red slime control. Never ever use one of the "red slime remover" products. While they do kill red slime, they only mask the problem, and if you don't fix the root cause of the problem, all you'll do is replace one problem algae with another. I know it's tempting to want to fix everything fast by using one of these products, but avoid them.