Red Slime Algea?

[Sea Turtle]

Hi everyone,

My tank for the most part is clean of algea. However, when I turn off the pumps and powerheads to feed the fish a brown film form over all the Live Rock. Then when I turn the power heads and pumps back on it all blows off and floats around the tank almost in a ghost like state. I try to net it but it goes right though. It looks like brown snot floating everywhere. The in a little bit, it is all gone. Also, I do see brown algea all on the rock almost like spider webs.n

Is this brown slime algea? And, if it is, can I treat it with antibiotics without harming my corals?

Thanks.

 

[Colin_T]

Without a pic is it difficult to say. Blue green algae, red slime algae, (Cyanobacter) doesn't settle that quickly and will be present on the rocks all the time. It could be something that is being expelled by one of the corals and when you turn the pumps off it settles on the rock.

Most corals don't tolerate antibiotics so I would try to find out exactly what it is before adding any chemicals.

Maybe check the water quality and do a few water changes. Then see if any of the corals are releasing mucous when you turn the pumps off. If you have metal halides above the tank it could be warming the water up and the uppermost corals are feeling warm when the pumps go off, (due to no water moving over them). then they expel zooxanthellae or mucous.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Without a pic is it difficult to say. Blue green algae, red slime algae, (Cyanobacter) doesn't settle that quickly and will be present on the rocks all the time. It could be something that is being expelled by one of the corals and when you turn the pumps off it settles on the rock.

Most corals don't tolerate antibiotics so I would try to find out exactly what it is before adding any chemicals.

Maybe check the water quality and do a few water changes. Then see if any of the corals are releasing mucous when you turn the pumps off. If you have metal halides above the tank it could be warming the water up and the uppermost corals are feeling warm when the pumps go off, (due to no water moving over them). then they expel zooxanthellae or mucous.

Thanks, I will try to look to see if it is the corals. It seems like a lot to be them though.

let me see if i can get some pics tomorrow night when I feed again.
Thanks

 

[SkiFletch]

Most corals don't tolerate antibiotics so I would try to find out exactly what it is before adding any chemicals.

Actually, corals themselves are not harmed by antibiotics. They are Eukaryotic members of the Animal kingdom which are not affected by antibiotics. Using antibiotics in a tank with corals only becomes a problem if the antibiotic kills ammonia processing bacteria, thus allowing an ammonia spike, perhaps even just a small one. And corals cannot tolerate ammonia, that's for sure. In fact, antibiotic dips can be used on corals to try and prevent the spread of slower infections.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Here are the pics of what I think might be red slime algea. What do you think that this is. It is getting worse everyday. Help !!

 

[SkiFletch]

Thats cyanobacteria

 

[Sea Turtle]

Thats cyanobacteria

I thought that was what it was.! I have the feeling this is bad! And I also noticed that you, of all people, because I know you are the most knowledgeable, added a sad face to the sentance... I have the feeling that this is bad for me.

What do you think Ski?

Is this just part of the road to maturity?

I have been vacuming it all off the rock every couple of days and replacing 10% of the water. I really would like to treat it with antibiotics, however, I am a firm believer that I am better off not putting anything in the tank unless it is life or death matter. I need to figure out what is causing it.

What are your thoughts?

 

[kj23502]

Do you use R/O water? I've read that phosphates can be a contributing factor. What about testing your water for that?

 

[Sea Turtle]

Do you use R/O water? I've read that phosphates can be a contributing factor. What about testing your water for that?

Sure do. Bought the top of the line RO and DI filtration system I could find.

Funny thing is, is that I tested my phosphates, and they are near zero. Don't really understand it.

I leave a large piece of nori on a clip for the tang everynight. Do you think that this could have something to do with it?

 

[nanocubeking]

Don't put the nori on at night when the lights are off. Tangs hide in the rock over night and don't come out until next morning. How big of a tang is it?

 

[SkiFletch]

Is this just part of the road to maturity?

Sadly yes, and the waiting can get a little annoying...

 

[Sea Turtle]

How big of a tang is it?

He is about 4 inches maybe. Not too big. I guess I will start taking it out before I go to bed.

 

[Colin_T]

you are better off putting the nori seaweed in the tank first thing in the morning. Then the tang can graze on it throughout the day. Remove any leftovers before lights out.
You can try to increase the water movement around the rocks and that can sometimes help. Reducing the nutrients in the tank can help. If it is a new tank then it will probably be a few months before it goes completey. In the mean time keep syphoning it out each day to reduce its impact on the corals.

 

[Sea Turtle]

you are better off putting the nori seaweed in the tank first thing in the morning. Then the tang can graze on it throughout the day. Remove any leftovers before lights out.
You can try to increase the water movement around the rocks and that can sometimes help. Reducing the nutrients in the tank can help. If it is a new tank then it will probably be a few months before it goes completey. In the mean time keep syphoning it out each day to reduce its impact on the corals.

Thanks. I am syphoning it ever other night scrubing it with a brush. Seems to be getting a little better since I'm on top of it more.

I will try puting the nori in there in the morning. Makes more sense.

Thanx

 

[Sea Turtle]

Here are the pics of what I think might be red slime algea. What do you think that this is. It is getting worse everyday. Help !!

View attachment 51824


View attachment 51823

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Hi again. I am still having quite a problem with this slime. It seems to be getting worse everyday and I am sucking it out almost every ther day. I have been looking at pictures and trying to do research about it. When I turn off the power heads to feed the fish it gets all stingy and lots of bubble form on it. Then when I turn the power heads back on the bubble go away and the water is completely filled with little thousands of little stands of it blowing around. Could this be DINOFLAGELLATES??? If so, how do I get rid of it? I really am hoping that this is only cyno.

PLease help!!