Red Slime

[kkralicek]

Any idea what eats the red slime? I have started to develop it and last time I got rid of it quick, but for some reason it came back. Why after 6 months would it come back and what will get rid of it. I run my lights 12 hrs a day and moonlights at nights in my biocube 14G.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Gseclipse02]

Live stock: Algae Blennies and Tangs are the one's who prefer algae as a food source.

Anyway, maybe this will help...
http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/diatomandslimemicroalgae/a/redslimealgae.htm

[kkralicek]

I was researching this and saw that certh snails eat cyanobacteria. Does anyone know if this is true?

[mattymalcolm]

My opinion is it has a lot to do with the flow. Plus I think 12 hours is kinda long time for lights to run.

[kkralicek]

What would be a good range for sunrise to sunset with alternating actenic and a 50/50? Right now I go 0600-1800 with actenic and 0700-1700 with 50/50. From 1800-0600 the moonlight is on

[Jonthefishguy]

Red Slime is not an algae. It is a bacteria. These microscopic organisms thrive in underwater environments where excess nutrients and poor water conditions are present. To prevent nuisance Red Slime Algae from overtaking your aquarium, routine maintenance is extremely important. Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce excess nutrients and organic debris, which play host to Red Slime Algae:

* Use a siphon to clean a portion of your substrate regularly. This will remove organic debris and uneaten food. Also, be sure not to overfeed your fish. Only feed as much food as they can consume in a few minutes.

* Be sure your aquarium has good water movement. A powerhead or wavemaker will help increase water movement.

* Perform regular water changes and routinely replace mechanical filter media.

* Maintain proper marine pH between 8.1 and 8.4 with buffers or with kalkwasser. A high pH helps discourage aggressive growth of Red Slime Algae.

* Supplement existing filtration with phosphate-removing chemical filter media.

* Use a reverse osmosis system for quality source water. This will help prevent buildup of excess minerals in aquarium water from the start.

Dont try a quick fix as it is like putting a bandaide on the issue. Find out the source.

[mozartkt]

I reduced my red algae with more water changes and adding powerheads, this seemed to help, but took a while.