RED ALGAE

[emkolar]

Hey has any one had any problems with Red Algae growing on the sand of you're tank ? I have had a recent breakout with this stuff, and I do not know where it is comming from or what causes it. I have Had my tank set up for almost 2 years now and I have never experanced this before. any help yall guys can provide will really help.

Thanks,

Eric

[Ping]

Without a pic I am guessing you have cyanobacteria. In an older system its outbreak can usually be traced back to high Phosphates. With time they can slowly increase in our systems.

[rabadanmarco]

when i first started my aquarium i used to get that alot...and then i switched to R.O water all the way...and i stoped getting that nasty algea on the sand...R.O is striped of all the impurities...and dont use your light to much...algea is photosynthetic so light has a factor as well

[MKCindy]

A little less light and more flow. I had forgotten I use to fight it too. I switched out my Kor 3's for Kor 4's and it disappeared.

[Ping]

As for lighting, be careful what you recommend. Cyanobacteria is a bacteria, and most of the items we put in a reef tank are photosynthetic. I guess if I turn my lights on only when I look at the tank, I would have no nuisance bacteria or algae problems.

Poor assumption on my part. Water quality is paramount, RO is a must and RO/DI is recommended.

[CoryDude]

Check your nitrates. Right now, I don't have any detectable phosphates, but I do have a nitrate problem and it's causing the cyano to stick around.