24g AP, Red Slime Problem

Burns11 · 09-28-2007, 02:15 AM

Tank is about 2 months old, and a couple of weeks ago I had a red slime outbreak. I vacuumed out all I could see, did about a 6 gallon water change and a week later it was back. After some searching I saw a suggestion to leave the lights off for a couple of days so a week ago I vacuumed again and left the lights off for a couple of days, but it came back.

I have also had a couple of snails end up dead, but that could be unrelated as every other animal seems to be thriving.

Anyway, I suspect the water might have something to do with my problems. It's RO, but not DI, from from a local grocery store's RO tap. BTW, I tested this water and it didn't have any nitrates, nitrites or phosphates. So I am looking to buy an RO/DI unit from thefilterguys, but I'm not sure which system I need.

What's the best course of action once I get my RO/DI unit? Should I do one major, almost 100%, water change and keep all livestock in a separate tank (in original aquarium's water) for a couple of days as things settle in main tank? Or do several smaller water changes? I also need to reposition most of my rocks, current positioning makes cleaning the glass on the sides difficult to impossible in some spots.

AQTCJAK · 09-28-2007, 02:30 AM

I would suggest Boyd Enterprises Chemi Clean to kill the Cyno. ALSO I would look @ the location of the cyno in comparison to your flow & adjust accordingly.

lcstorc · 09-28-2007, 09:33 AM

Sounds like part of the problem may be flow. When you re-arrange those rocks pay particular attention to the flow in your tank. The slime will grow anywhere there is low or no flow. Arrange your rocks and flow so that there is water movement everywhere.
As far as the water changes I would do several medium changes but not too quickly. Only bad things happen quickly in a reef. I would probably do a 25% change once a week for 4-6 weeks and go from there.
There are chemical removers like Chem Clean that will wipe it out however if conditions exisit in the tank for it to grow it will simply come back. Hopefully it is the "bad" water fueling the growth but take a look at how much and what you are feeding as well. Most of us overfeed and the extra food is exactly what the algae needs to grow and thrive.

Surfnut · 09-28-2007, 12:01 PM

It sounds like you might be overfeeding as well. I had the same problem at 1st in my 24g Aquapod a couple years back. I'd keep feedings down to twice or three times a week at most & in sparing amounts. Depending on your tank inhabitants, you might be able to feed only once a week; Seeing as every tank naturally produces a small yet fairly steady supply of Bugs & Phytoplankton.

Chemi Clean will definately remove it from the tank; Be sure to leave it in for the full 48 hrs as well. Adjust the flow as the others have said will help as well.

You may want to upgrade your return pump size as well. I upgraded my pump fairly early on to nearly double its output with fantastic results.

09-28-2007, 02:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
Burns11 Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 20 View Gallery Karma Komment	24g AP, Red Slime Problem Tank is about 2 months old, and a couple of weeks ago I had a red slime outbreak. I vacuumed out all I could see, did about a 6 gallon water change and a week later it was back. After some searching I saw a suggestion to leave the lights off for a couple of days so a week ago I vacuumed again and left the lights off for a couple of days, but it came back. I have also had a couple of snails end up dead, but that could be unrelated as every other animal seems to be thriving. Anyway, I suspect the water might have something to do with my problems. It's RO, but not DI, from from a local grocery store's RO tap. BTW, I tested this water and it didn't have any nitrates, nitrites or phosphates. So I am looking to buy an RO/DI unit from thefilterguys, but I'm not sure which system I need. What's the best course of action once I get my RO/DI unit? Should I do one major, almost 100%, water change and keep all livestock in a separate tank (in original aquarium's water) for a couple of days as things settle in main tank? Or do several smaller water changes? I also need to reposition most of my rocks, current positioning makes cleaning the glass on the sides difficult to impossible in some spots.

09-28-2007, 02:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,261 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 24g AP, Red Slime Problem I would suggest Boyd Enterprises Chemi Clean to kill the Cyno. ALSO I would look @ the location of the cyno in comparison to your flow & adjust accordingly. __________________ 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

09-28-2007, 09:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 21,727 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 24g AP, Red Slime Problem Sounds like part of the problem may be flow. When you re-arrange those rocks pay particular attention to the flow in your tank. The slime will grow anywhere there is low or no flow. Arrange your rocks and flow so that there is water movement everywhere. As far as the water changes I would do several medium changes but not too quickly. Only bad things happen quickly in a reef. I would probably do a 25% change once a week for 4-6 weeks and go from there. There are chemical removers like Chem Clean that will wipe it out however if conditions exisit in the tank for it to grow it will simply come back. Hopefully it is the "bad" water fueling the growth but take a look at how much and what you are feeding as well. Most of us overfeed and the extra food is exactly what the algae needs to grow and thrive. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

09-28-2007, 12:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Surfnut Star Polyps Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 167 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 24g AP, Red Slime Problem It sounds like you might be overfeeding as well. I had the same problem at 1st in my 24g Aquapod a couple years back. I'd keep feedings down to twice or three times a week at most & in sparing amounts. Depending on your tank inhabitants, you might be able to feed only once a week; Seeing as every tank naturally produces a small yet fairly steady supply of Bugs & Phytoplankton. Chemi Clean will definately remove it from the tank; Be sure to leave it in for the full 48 hrs as well. Adjust the flow as the others have said will help as well. You may want to upgrade your return pump size as well. I upgraded my pump fairly early on to nearly double its output with fantastic results.

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