[Dustin1300]

I've got some red slime developing and its really got on my nerves in the past week...I know my water quality is fine because I've ran numerous tests to varify and I just did a 25% water change last Saturday. I don't have much water flow because I currently just have a fluval 404 that pushes 340 gph. I know everyone is going to tell me that I need to get rid of the canister but I have a sump/refugium that I just built and am planning on adding within the month...just got to order pump, A.T.O., and plumbing supplies. Sorry, got a little off topic but I've heard some say that unsufficient current can cause red slime to develop. I also found a dead snail behind a rock and believe this might have contributed to the algae also. I've been removing whatever I see everyday and am planning to do another 25% water change tommorow! If anyone has any suggestions I'll gladly accept suggestions, and if any chenicals have worked for anyone let me know your opinion! I'm just going to use the chemical as a last effort to rid of the red slime...

[wesley6610]

If the only current you have going through your tank is that output from your fluval, that is the first place to address. Add a few powerheads to your tank in alternate locations and create some water movement along the tank floor even if it means disturbing your sandbed. Next, instead of a water change, filter out that slime algae a bit and wait a few days to see if it re-appears in full force. If it slows down, great. Make sure you focus the PH flow towards the dense areas of cyanobacteria so that phosphates don't overaccumulate there anymore. After such time make sure that your not overfeeding you tank creatures/corals and your lights aren't on for more than 8 - 10 hours a day and that you change your bulbs in the right intervals (PC 6 months, T5/VHO 12 - 18 months and MH 6 - 12 months). This is a good first step, but make sure that you are consistent with all of your maintenance and efforts.

[pogodzib]

The best way to prevent and minimize the red slime in your tank is by keeping a really high water quality and a stronger flow in your tank. Since you already has it, the easiest ways to get rid of it is to add red slime eating hermits or snails, or to use a chemical from Boyd Enterprises called Chemi-Clean

[wesley6610]

What snails and hermits actually eat red slime? I have heard claims of Mexican red leg hermits and turbo snails that do. Nerite and Margarita snails too and none of them have shown the slightest interest in cyanobacteria. However hair algae is a different story as they consume that readily.

[Dustin1300]

From all the research I've done it seems my current is the only thing that is making the algae reappear because the water is just staying in one place...I'm getting a Mag 9.5 for my sump and a powersweep for one side to help move the water around! I'm also going to get two more powerheads and place behind rocks where I'll be able to keep everything off my substrate...Hope this helps!

[wesley6610]

I would stay away from the powersweep PH, they just don't push that much current for a mini reef tank. Try a Maxijet 600 or 900 if your want stream flow and perhaps a Koralia 1 or 2 for a wave type of flow. Try to get like 20x turnover an hour if possible from multiple powerheads combined.

[pogodzib]

Some Mexican hermits will eat it, but the Strombus sp. (like the Queen or Fighting Conch) are the only true reef safe critters that are true consumers of red slime.

[wesley6610]

If those conchs die or get injured, can't they release toxins into the water or is that another species?

[jvharding]

What are your water Parameters? I am assuming your Tank is new so we are also dealing with new tank syndrome. Are you using RO/DI? Your water source could be Issue. Silicates should be tested for and TDS if using R/O. So Current is a key factor but what the Cyano is feeding on has not been addressed in this Thread. Removing the growth helps but we also need to remove what it is feeding on in the water column and this could be Phosphates, Silicate and your Water balance of PH and ALK are also known factors. What are your water change habits?

[wesley6610]

Good point JV!

[Dustin1300]

JV, the tanks been up and running for about 3 months so it is still new. As far as water parameters, they seem fine because I do a 25% water change every other week and am testing my water on a weekly basis. As far as the RO/DI unit, I got one after the first month of using jugs of water and getting sick of keeping up with the metal halides. I do not have a TDS to check the RO/DI but was planning on getting one when I get to Indianapolis to this LARGE fish store, at least for me, I'M SO EXCITED! Anyways, I'll be getting some powerheads and adding a Mag9.5 for my sump/refugium I just built so my current problem should be fixed...Also my lighting runs a little longer than it should some days so I'll be also fixing that when I go to Indy cause I'm planning on buying the Coralife digital power center...I now feel like I am rambling, but I hope I answered your questions JV! I'll let you know my water tests here in a bit but I gotta go mow, yippee!