How do you get rid of red slime algae?
5 posters
red slime?
reefer87- Posts : 674
Join date : 2011-09-10
Age : 37
Location : Point Mugu
sisterlimonpot- Admin
- Posts : 1576
Join date : 2011-07-25
Location : Oxnard
cyanobacteria is fairly easy to remove from the tank. there are products on the market that target the bacteria, such as chemi-clean, red slime remover and so on.
however in my opinion those are last resorts because they have some sort of antibiotic. just like any antibiotic that is used to combat bacteria,the bacteria starts to developed an immunity to it. that's why doctors are always hesitant to prescribe it to us when we have a cold.
anyway I have found that blowing it off the substrate with a turkey baster (it comes off really easy) and suspending it in the water column to allow it to be removed by a mechanical filter of some sort is the best way to prevent it from growing. also more flow and light may help.
if that doesn't work for you then use the products to rid your tank.
however in my opinion those are last resorts because they have some sort of antibiotic. just like any antibiotic that is used to combat bacteria,the bacteria starts to developed an immunity to it. that's why doctors are always hesitant to prescribe it to us when we have a cold.
anyway I have found that blowing it off the substrate with a turkey baster (it comes off really easy) and suspending it in the water column to allow it to be removed by a mechanical filter of some sort is the best way to prevent it from growing. also more flow and light may help.
if that doesn't work for you then use the products to rid your tank.
nikecivic- Moderator
- Posts : 1672
Join date : 2011-11-09
Location : Camarillo, CA
you will need to find the source of the cyano. Usually over feeding is the culprit. What are your phosphate and nitrate levels?
Check your levels and see if water changes makes any difference.
Check your levels and see if water changes makes any difference.
sisterlimonpot- Admin
- Posts : 1576
Join date : 2011-07-25
Location : Oxnard
I introduced cyano from what I believe from a cold frozen blood worm. once I stopped feeding it the cyano slowed down.
dfladermaus- Charter Member
- Posts : 489
Join date : 2011-07-24
Age : 48
nikecivic wrote:you will need to find the source of the cyano. Usually over feeding is the culprit. What are your phosphate and nitrate levels?
Check your levels and see if water changes makes any difference.
If you are overfeeding then there could be two culprits,
1. you do not have enough biological filtration for the size of your tank
2. You have too many fish in a tank that is not suited for them
By upping your water changes and general reduction of nutrients will help to solve the issue.
one other thing that helps cyano to thrive is old bulbs. Make sure yours are not too old.
reefer87- Posts : 674
Join date : 2011-09-10
Age : 37
Location : Point Mugu
Ok cool guys thanks for the info. I think I have been overfeeding and leaving my light on too long. I have cut back on feeding and light on time. It seems to have already slowed down and the red slime is starting to cut back already. As for fish I have a neon cleaner goby and a sixline wrasse ands that's it. I don't think I have to many fish.
dwolson2- Admin
- Posts : 2356
Join date : 2011-08-07
Location : Where ever I am told to go
You could also look at chaeto, it helped my phosphate levels.
reefer87- Posts : 674
Join date : 2011-09-10
Age : 37
Location : Point Mugu
Yeah I will be getting some as soon as I get a submergable light.