Red Slime? Red Something?

caitrina · 06-26-2007, 10:49 AM

Ok, I have looked a little bit everywhere for answers to this and here I am. The problem I am having is that nothing fits the description of what I have on my glass. No, it is not coralline. This is almost a red slime, but it isn't slimy.To clean it off I just run a magnet or a scraper down the glass and it comes right off in little smushed layers. Like strands. Now everything I look for on this stuff says it is on sand bed or is hairy. Mine is neither. I have none on the sand and there is not any hairy threads growing from it either. It is more of a nuisance than anything. Snails don't seem to bother with it, it isn't growing anywhere else, only on the front and a little on the side.

My water tests are great, however water temp is a little bit higher than it really should be. My water flow is good although none of my power heads are pointing that way. I have 2 power heads: one 400 gph and the other 144 gph , positioned opposite each other, one being positioned higher than the other. There are dual tubes from back of bulkhead powered by a 748 gph from the sump, one points down and behind the LR and the other the opposite direction toward the other side of bulk head.

I have a 24 hr lighting system with dawn/dusk/lunar effects that is on approximately 8 hours each day.

Cassette87 · 06-26-2007, 10:52 AM

Sounds like you have cyanobacteria, usually caused by excess nutrients or lack of flow. I would try to get a little extra flow heading over that way, and you'd probably be surprised how fast it starts to clear up!
Some helpful info

vdituri · 06-26-2007, 10:57 AM

Ditto on the diagnosis.
I had the same problem. I was feeding 2x a day and the lights were on for 12 hrs. I cut back to 1x day feeding and cut back on the light cycle.
Haven't had it come back yet... (knock on coral).

jrf1175 · 06-26-2007, 11:03 AM

I am having the same problem Caitrina. I have tested and have some high phosphates that may be the root of the problem. However I am also looking at adding a powerhead for some more flow. I am currently running my return pump split to a Wavesea and another return pipe. Hope this will help clean things up.

Good luck.

Cassette87 · 06-26-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdituri

... (knock on coral).

I sure hope it's sps

caitrina · 06-26-2007, 11:33 AM

Some helpful info

Good link and good description of what this is. OK, now that I am all dry from putting the top back up on the car...(I know better, I live in Florida) I will point some of my water flow toward that way, cut down on the lighting hours and as much as I really don't want to I guess I will hook up the skimmer. I read so many things about these and have one, but have been fine without it. I am always afraid my corals might lose the things they need to survive. I know its silly because I just have to take other avenues to make sure they are fine. I do regular water changes, pre filter changes and use the phosphate filter pads, have no problems (except this stupid red stuff.) Water is crystal clear and sand bed free of nasty things.

JRF hope you followed Cassette's link, short article to read and filled with good info. Victor also had this problem and his solution helped so let's all "knock on coral"

Thanks guys!

lcstorc · 06-29-2007, 09:22 PM

Everyone seems to have things well under control. Do not fear skimmers. They are wonderful and often referred to as fish toilets. Once you see the gunk they pull out you will be forever convinced.

kathywithbirds · 06-29-2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

They are wonderful and often referred to as fish toilets.

ROTFLMAO

sasquatch · 06-29-2007, 09:39 PM

Ahmm Lynn, more along the lines of a bidet lol

caitrina · 06-29-2007, 09:40 PM

LOL , I haven't hooked up my fish toilet yet but plan on it. I did turn one of my power heads toward the area that was getting the red crap and there is a big difference already. Have not had to clean the glass at all since I did that. Thanks everyone!

lcstorc · 06-29-2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasquatch

Ahmm Lynn, more along the lines of a bidet lol

Can't argue with that one.

06-26-2007, 10:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
caitrina Golden Moray Join Date: May 2007 Location: Somewhere in Florida Posts: 2,700 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Red Slime? Red Something? Ok, I have looked a little bit everywhere for answers to this and here I am. The problem I am having is that nothing fits the description of what I have on my glass. No, it is not coralline. This is almost a red slime, but it isn't slimy.To clean it off I just run a magnet or a scraper down the glass and it comes right off in little smushed layers. Like strands. Now everything I look for on this stuff says it is on sand bed or is hairy. Mine is neither. I have none on the sand and there is not any hairy threads growing from it either. It is more of a nuisance than anything. Snails don't seem to bother with it, it isn't growing anywhere else, only on the front and a little on the side. My water tests are great, however water temp is a little bit higher than it really should be. My water flow is good although none of my power heads are pointing that way. I have 2 power heads: one 400 gph and the other 144 gph , positioned opposite each other, one being positioned higher than the other. There are dual tubes from back of bulkhead powered by a 748 gph from the sump, one points down and behind the LR and the other the opposite direction toward the other side of bulk head. I have a 24 hr lighting system with dawn/dusk/lunar effects that is on approximately 8 hours each day.

06-26-2007, 10:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cassette87 Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Palos Park, IL Posts: 1,474 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Red Slime? Red Something? Sounds like you have cyanobacteria, usually caused by excess nutrients or lack of flow. I would try to get a little extra flow heading over that way, and you'd probably be surprised how fast it starts to clear up! Some helpful info __________________ Andy My 29 Gallon Reef

06-26-2007, 10:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 6,244 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Red Slime? Red Something? Ditto on the diagnosis. I had the same problem. I was feeding 2x a day and the lights were on for 12 hrs. I cut back to 1x day feeding and cut back on the light cycle. Haven't had it come back yet... (knock on coral). __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

06-26-2007, 11:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
jrf1175 Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 296 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Red Slime? Red Something? I am having the same problem Caitrina. I have tested and have some high phosphates that may be the root of the problem. However I am also looking at adding a powerhead for some more flow. I am currently running my return pump split to a Wavesea and another return pipe. Hope this will help clean things up. Good luck. __________________ 90gal Miracles Starphire, Acrylic Sump with Fuge, Aqua-Medic Aquaspacelight 2x250 HQI, 2x24w PC, Euro-Reef RS100, Wavy Sea with Blueline HD 40x return pump, 1 Turbelle Nanostream 6045, Profilux II Plus controller Check out my 90 gallon build log Here

06-26-2007, 11:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
caitrina Golden Moray Join Date: May 2007 Location: Somewhere in Florida Posts: 2,700 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Red Slime? Red Something? Some helpful info Good link and good description of what this is. OK, now that I am all dry from putting the top back up on the car...(I know better, I live in Florida) I will point some of my water flow toward that way, cut down on the lighting hours and as much as I really don't want to I guess I will hook up the skimmer. I read so many things about these and have one, but have been fine without it. I am always afraid my corals might lose the things they need to survive. I know its silly because I just have to take other avenues to make sure they are fine. I do regular water changes, pre filter changes and use the phosphate filter pads, have no problems (except this stupid red stuff.) Water is crystal clear and sand bed free of nasty things. JRF hope you followed Cassette's link, short article to read and filled with good info. Victor also had this problem and his solution helped so let's all "knock on coral" Thanks guys!

06-29-2007, 09:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Red Slime? Red Something? Everyone seems to have things well under control. Do not fear skimmers. They are wonderful and often referred to as fish toilets. Once you see the gunk they pull out you will be forever convinced. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

06-29-2007, 09:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,981 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Red Slime? Red Something? Ahmm Lynn, more along the lines of a bidet lol

06-29-2007, 09:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
caitrina Golden Moray Join Date: May 2007 Location: Somewhere in Florida Posts: 2,700 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Red Slime? Red Something? LOL , I haven't hooked up my fish toilet yet but plan on it. I did turn one of my power heads toward the area that was getting the red crap and there is a big difference already. Have not had to clean the glass at all since I did that. Thanks everyone!

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