red algae

[Cloran]

Any idea what causes it, I do a water change clean it up and it comes right back. Found out, its called Cyano bacteria, they say to reduce nitrates and phospate. I'm already running a Phospate reactor.

[marinelife]

Change the media in the reactor and aim a powerhead at it. Cyano hates flow!!!

Change your lighting schedule. Go with less time!

[Cloran]

Whats the lowest amount of light clams need? They media gets changed every water change.

[marinelife]

Depends on the clam but your 175w over a 20 should be enough for most clams

[Cloran]

Ever tried this? http://www.ultralife.com/redslimeremover/slime.htm

[marinelife]

It works but it is always best to find out why you have the algae because it will just come back.

[Cloran]

Okay, how little of light can the clam take? What causes Nitrates and Phospate?

[marinelife]

To much food, poop, waste, etc.


Not sure on the light, what kind of clam is it?

[Cloran]

How many times are supposed to feed them? It's just weird I never had it until putting the coral from my father's in.

[marinelife]

ok hold up a minute, does the algae have bubbles in it?

[Cloran]

Nope, no bubbles. Its just on the side walls, the back, and its going away on the front sand.

[marinelife]

ok you need strong current, Use of Protein Skimming, active carbon, ozone, or strong water circulation and more water changes.

[Cloran]

Okay, I use a protien skimmer, was told to stay away from carbon in saltwater, Any stronger current my corals don't open up. How often should I do water changes. How come did I not have it until just recently with a coral from dad

[marinelife]

He gave it to you then, do a water change a week, if you are already doing weekly water changes do larger ones.

[Cloran]

Should I run carbon? I have just regular carbon, i bought for my freshie. I do about 5 gallons bi- weekly.

[marinelife]

I would try some carbon

[Cloran]

I was told once, that carbon increases phospate in the tank? Thats why I haven't. Just put a bag of it down in the sump?

[marinelife]

A low quality carbon could

[Cloran]

Define low quality. I got mine at Wal-Mart

[Cloran]

Now some of it has bubbles in it?

[marinelife]

suck some of it out with the next water change.

[Cloran]

I do and it dissappears then comes back

[marinelife]

Just keep sucking it up. I get some red algae every summer and it goes away over the winter

[Cloran]

Ever find out what causes it?

[marinelife]

Something to do with summer, maybe higher temperatures not sure really. I will see what the next tank does, I never had it in the 180, just got it since upgrading to the 375

[Cloran]

I never had it until the coral from my dad. It doesn't seem to really grow fast or anything just kinda stays in one spot.

[marinelife]

I would just suck it out and not worry about it to much