Slime Algae...

[Sharkie]

Hey everyone!

I got new lights (4 bulb T5 2 blue 2 white with the metal reflector inside) and noticed this last week that there is a TON of red slime algae ALL OVER EVERYTHING! So I did a water change and siphoned out the tank and it looked spotless... yesterday the tank was a bit murky and today it is ALL SLIMEY RED EWWW.... I know it has to do with the lights but wasn't sure how to get rid of it....Do i leave off the lights for weeks or just every so many days?

 

[SeaBee]

hEY sHARKIE!!! i WOULD CUT THOSE LIGHTS BACK a lITTLE, lIKE HALF aND SEE wHAT hAPPENS.

 

[Gizmoh]

Hey Sharkie,

I have had some issues with the saltwater red slime and the fresh water green slime! Cutting back on the lights wont really help much because this is in fact a bacterial build up and not algae. What I use if I ever run into this problem is erythromycin (sp?). It is a over the counter anti bacterial medication. As with any medication, you have to be very careful when dosing. and because you are not fighting a full blown fish infection you don't need the full dose. API also sells a pack designed for fish infection with dosing instructions. This is the pack I used at about 1/3rd dose for three days water change at the end and left my skimmer of for the duration. All gone. Inverts A OK. Corals undisturbed. Skimmer back on after change to pull out any extra meds. This is a very harsh remedy as you run the risk of disturbing beneficial bacteria as well but if left untreated it will cover and smother everything.

hope this helps ;) :^:

 

[Bifferwine]

Cyanobacteria is a bacteria, but it's photosynthetic. So cutting out the light will help in this case. In fact, doing a black out is one of the more effective ways to treat a break out of slime algae.

Cyanobacteria is a phylum of bacteria that obtain their energy through photosynthesis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are aquatic and photosynthetic, that is, they live in the water, and can manufacture their own food.

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/bacteria/cyanointro.html

These organisms produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/diatomandslimemicroalgae/a/redslimealgae.htm

Be careful treating it with antibiotics if you choose to take that path. Many people report that the cyano becomes resistant after a few uses, and the treatment will no longer be effective. Instead you will be left with super slime algae. ;)

IMO, the best course of action is to treat the root cause of the cyano, not just treat the symptoms of the outbreaks with medications. Focus on lighting, water quality, stocking, over feeding, and lack of flow.

 

[Gizmoh]

I have not had much luck fighting it with any sort of blackout method but that is just me, and I agree there are risks in using medication that must be stressed, jhnrb has a wicked write up at:

http://https://www.livingreefs.com/cyanobacteria-and-red-slime-algae-t390.html

My best advise would be to read up and make an informed decision.
Sorry i don't know if there is a cleaner way to link to other threads...

 

[Sharkie]

Thanks guys, i figured the lights were the problem as I don't over feed and my water quailty is awesome :) I was told that my lights would more than likely cause some unwated algae growth but i've also seen major growth in my corals (which rocks :D)

I will def be passing on the chemicals... i try to keep everything that isn't natural out of the tank.