My 265 gallon in wall reef.

[blue_eyes53813]

After doing some researching on my forever problem of Algae, yuck, cyano, I think I have found my problem " RED TIDE" anybody ever heard of this?
Here is a link and the pictures look exactly like my tank
red tide in marine tanks - Aquaria Central

The description is exactly what happens in my tank... Doesnt help to clean it comes back within hours.. Im gonna see if I can find more information on this gunk.. Any help would be appreciated.

[blue_eyes53813]

Well I dont know,,, Sounds like the water also has a redish color to it, Mine isnt red.. Im wandering if it can be introduced to the tank through new livestock or live rock? Maybe its not

[sasquatch]

Well Madamblue, thats just too wild! I know Ive had that before, exactly the same as those pics, I actually shut down that tank added a gallon of bleach and let it run for 2 days, now its a freshwater tank, I thought at the time it was a lighting and nitrate problem, My vet wrote me a prescription for ethremycin/sp and it made it worse, the mats were so nasty it would remove a 1/2 in of sand with the mats If thats what youve got I can really appreciate the misery youve had, and totally commend you for sticking with it.

[Dentoid]

Fascinating link BlueEyes! Thanks for sharing. I wonder if lowering the temperature would help as well? Bacterial growth is dependent on temperature so lowering it may help. JMO. Karma for your research and perseverence! You'll get it under control!

[sasquatch]

Originally Posted by blue_eyes53813

Well I dont know,,, Sounds like the water also has a redish color to it, Mine isnt red.. Im wandering if it can be introduced to the tank through new livestock or live rock? Maybe its not

Try taking some water in a glass and look under normal lighting, this stuff seems to almost root in grave, spores maybe?

[blue_eyes53813]

Thanks Guys,, Like the person that posted that thread I have found CARBON CARBON and more CARBON helps alot, less feeding(like feeding 2-3 times a week at the most) And alot of water changes keeps it in control... Im afraid if I let up on it , it will take over my tank.... It is not fun anymore.

[sasquatch]

Wikipedia has a write up, influx of iron dust blown in from the Sahara desert as a possible cause, anyway to test for iron/

[blue_eyes53813]

Originally Posted by sasquatch

Try taking some water in a glass and look under normal lighting, this stuff seems to almost root in grave, spores maybe?

I will try that Steve

hmmm im not sure about the iron

[sasquatch]

I wonder what the carbon can be doing?

[blue_eyes53813]

Im not sure Steve...

[KimPossible]

did you ever get the flux under control?

[blue_eyes53813]

Yep , all under control.. Im pretty sure it was the sponges in the overflow, They dont look dirty but I rinse them out daily and we are good to go.

Did my first water change On Saturday since the addition of the sump and fuge. I was really nervous to shut off the return pump. I wasnt sure how much water would drain out of the main tank...... I turned off the pump and ran, lol... SHOOT.. I dont know what I was worried about... only about 10-20 gallons.. nothing to worry about.... I changed the water and now I was worried to turn the pump back on...... I was afraid the overflow wouldnt work right.... I plugged the pump back in and ran, lol ... overflow took off like a charm..... I cant waite to do another water change,, lol

[Dentoid]

Whew! Glad you've got that under control. That's a big system. How do you clean the glass and bottom, SCUBA? LOL!

[blue_eyes53813]

I have one of those scrapers/blades you hook on the magnet ( cant remember the name)... Works like a charm.

[blue_eyes53813]

I had some time today to mess with the camera. You will notice in some pictures the algae I have been battling but it is considerably less. Ive been cleaning cleaning cleaning.. I hope they turn out.