Red Algae all over

Tangtastic · 12-21-2007, 06:51 PM

So... I left my window that is directly in front of my tank open the other day on accident (left the blinds open rather), and now I have a layer of red algae all over the place. Over the top of the sand, over the rocks, over the pumps, over everything! What is the best way to get rid of it?? I can suction the top layer of sand and get rid of that, and scrape the glass, and wash the pumps, but the rocks are going to be the problem.

Any thoughts on the situation and how to avoid this from happening again??

Thanks all!

-Amber

reefman420 · 12-21-2007, 07:07 PM

ure cuc,should take care of the rocks,And u can avoid this again by leaving the blinds shut,or do like my friend did and install a shade to ure canopy,That way if u leave u close the shade on the tank,and let the sun in ure house

DaveK · 12-21-2007, 07:22 PM

I don't think your problem is directly related to leaving a window open and the tank getting additional light. The red algae is due to having a nutrient problem in the form of high levels of nitrates and/or phosphates.

To control algae, you need to control the nutrients.

Tangtastic · 12-21-2007, 07:40 PM

And how do I do that? My nitrates are consistently at 20 ppm. I cannot get them down to zero. I routinely do wc's. I have added some chaeto to my refugium, I am feeding as little as I feel comfortable doing... I don't know what else to do? I routinely check my nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and ph levels... and the calcium every once in awhile... but not the phosphates?? Perhaps I need to do that? I'm just not sure what I am doing wrong?? Will this red algae hurt my fish?

Thanks,

AQTCJAK · 12-22-2007, 01:09 AM

red alage is cyno bacteria caused by poor water flow & poor water conditions chemi clean will kill tha bacteria with out any harm to you tank then fix you flow issue & you r water quality is the best you can do

12-21-2007, 06:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tangtastic Tubeworm Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 30 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Red Algae all over So... I left my window that is directly in front of my tank open the other day on accident (left the blinds open rather), and now I have a layer of red algae all over the place. Over the top of the sand, over the rocks, over the pumps, over everything! What is the best way to get rid of it?? I can suction the top layer of sand and get rid of that, and scrape the glass, and wash the pumps, but the rocks are going to be the problem. Any thoughts on the situation and how to avoid this from happening again?? Thanks all! -Amber __________________ 90 gallon Reef tank with 10 gallon fuge 100+ lbs live rock mushrooms hairy mushrooms feather dusters pulsing xenias 1 Yellow Tang 1 Sailfin Tang 1 Percula 1 Yellow Tail Blue Damsel 1 Target Mandarin Goby 1 Porcupine Puffer (Yes... he gets along with his tank mates... even the shrimp) 1 Coral Banded Shrimp What a sweet addiction!

12-21-2007, 07:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
reefman420 Elegance coral Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: minneapolis Posts: 1,085 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Red Algae all over ure cuc,should take care of the rocks,And u can avoid this again by leaving the blinds shut,or do like my friend did and install a shade to ure canopy,That way if u leave u close the shade on the tank,and let the sun in ure house __________________ 155 oceanic bow front,20 long refuge packed with caluerpa and mangroves,40 gallon sump,175lbs LR,3x250 watt xm 10ks,aqua-c remora,and pro-clear 150 skimmers sailfin tang,kole tang,royal gramma,cinnimon clown,2xpink skunk clowns,six line wrasse,mandarin, 155 bow coral-orange montipora cap,superman monti cap,scripps green polyped staghorn,ORA pink poccilipora,ORA blue millipora,green slimer,yellow UK acro,pink birdsnest,armor of god zoas,various zoas and shrooms,hammer,frogspawn,clove polyps,favite,fancey toadstool,reg toadstool,yellow leather,purple leather,devils hand,2 types xenia,ricordea florida,ricordea yuma,kenya tree,galaxia,bubble coral,button polyps inverts are lots of snails and hermits,crocea clam,maxima clam and seabae anemone,rbta

12-21-2007, 07:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
DaveK Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 653 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Red Algae all over I don't think your problem is directly related to leaving a window open and the tank getting additional light. The red algae is due to having a nutrient problem in the form of high levels of nitrates and/or phosphates. To control algae, you need to control the nutrients.

12-21-2007, 07:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tangtastic Tubeworm Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 30 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Red Algae all over And how do I do that? My nitrates are consistently at 20 ppm. I cannot get them down to zero. I routinely do wc's. I have added some chaeto to my refugium, I am feeding as little as I feel comfortable doing... I don't know what else to do? I routinely check my nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and ph levels... and the calcium every once in awhile... but not the phosphates?? Perhaps I need to do that? I'm just not sure what I am doing wrong?? Will this red algae hurt my fish? Thanks, __________________ 90 gallon Reef tank with 10 gallon fuge 100+ lbs live rock mushrooms hairy mushrooms feather dusters pulsing xenias 1 Yellow Tang 1 Sailfin Tang 1 Percula 1 Yellow Tail Blue Damsel 1 Target Mandarin Goby 1 Porcupine Puffer (Yes... he gets along with his tank mates... even the shrimp) 1 Coral Banded Shrimp What a sweet addiction!

12-22-2007, 01:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,224 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Red Algae all over red alage is cyno bacteria caused by poor water flow & poor water conditions chemi clean will kill tha bacteria with out any harm to you tank then fix you flow issue & you r water quality is the best you can do __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

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