[navyb1003]

Does anything eat slime algae? I can't seem to get rid of it. I am also thinking that maybe the lights are being left on too long, as I know this can cause algae blooms. So I pose this question...how long should lights be left on for if I have zoanthids, xenia, and a gorgonia? Water parameters are fine, just had them checked.

[dhboyd1]

My lights are on a 11 hour day. 2 hrs sunrise (actnics) 8 hours daylight and actnics, then 1 hour sunset (actnics). I haven't seen any slime algae but have had plenty of everything else during cycling. Coraline seem to be the predominant I have now. Did you check your phosphates and silica when you had the water tested?

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by navyb1003

Does anything eat slime algae? I can't seem to get rid of it. I am also thinking that maybe the lights are being left on too long, as I know this can cause algae blooms. So I pose this question...how long should lights be left on for if I have zoanthids, xenia, and a gorgonia? Water parameters are fine, just had them checked.

I have been told emerald crabs will eat it, as well as some hermit crabs.

[jimw369]

Red Slime? (Cyano)

Does it look like this?



IF this is it we need to talk more.

[rlcline76]

There are some reef crabs which might eat cyano, but I haven't found any of them to be reef safe.

How long are you running your lights for?
If your parameters are fine...and I encourage everyone to have their own tests and not to have full reliance on someone else...then you might seriously benefit from extra flow.

[navyb1003]

I think it is cyano. It looks like the nastiness that is in the picture. I just bumped up water changes from every 2 weeks to weekly. I have reduced lighting periods to about 9.5 to 10 hours because I figured this stuff is photosynthetic. I have 4 hermit crabs, 5 nassarious (sp?) snails and a turbo to help clean the tank. I am wondering if maybe a freshwater dip of my LR might help. I don't think they check for silica, is this SOP?

[jvharding]

Here is a link for Info:

Tropical Fish Forums > Cyanobacteria, Red Slime Algae

Please disregard using any treatment product I do not recomend these.

[Tonz of fun]

IMO if you are testing for Phosphates and Nitrates and they are 0 but you still have a lot of bad algae this doesn't mean that there are no phosphates or nitrates in your tank. IMO it just means that the algae is using the Phos or Nitrates before they are testable. If you want to get rid of the algae here are my top ways to get rip of it. 1. R/O water 2. Stop overfeeding 3. A larger cleaner crew 4. Washing off your frozen food before feeding. This is how I got rid of all my algae. Shorter light cycles were already mentioned so I left it out. I had Slime. bubble and hair and its all gone now.

[rlcline76]

I think the cleaning crew is fine. If we were talking about hair algae I would be inclined to agree with Greg. But there isn't much that eats cyano. I'm taking into consideration the tank size. I know how many snails and hermits per gallon the books say, but in my experience that really doesn't work so well in a small 20 gallon space and you should only pick up what you need when you need it. CUCs create waste, as well.

Like jvharding said, you may want to not mess with chemicals. He has lost livestock from it...and I just don't believe they work. If you haven't yet, please check out RyanG's sticky inthis forum "Before you post." It is pretty useful.

[navyb1003]

Would anyone recommend doing freshwater dips for my LR, or would that not help? I will switch to every other day for feeding as well. Can anyone suggest a good phosphate binding media? I never know what to choose when faced with so many options....

[Tonz of fun]

No on the rock dips. Once your aquascape is in place dont touch it. Before going to phosban reactor I would look into other things first. Are you using RO water?

[rlcline76]

Originally Posted by navyb1003

Would anyone recommend doing freshwater dips for my LR, or would that not help? I will switch to every other day for feeding as well. Can anyone suggest a good phosphate binding media? I never know what to choose when faced with so many options....

Phosban, PURA Phoslock....
Just out of curiosity, how long has your tank been up and running? I know that it says that you have a year's worth of experience, but that doesn't always mean anything. What kind of equipment do you have?

[navyb1003]

Yes we use RO water. We have been using it since the tank has been up and running, which has been about 10 months.