[demifelix]

Can anyone please help me ID this thing in my tank and how can I get rid of it? Thanks.


Felix

[Reefland]

What are we looking at, the red slime algae?

[demifelix]

Yes, the red/purple web above the bed in the middle all the way toward the upper right corner.
You said it's red slime algae, so how can I get rid of it? Should I get some more snail, lettuce, etc? What kind of invertebrates will help me control this?
Also, I have a fuge with caulerpa, and suddenly about a handful died off. Could that be the problem or is there something else that I need to look for in the tank to avoid this red slime algae in the future?

[scubadude]

Originally Posted by demifelix

Also, I have a fuge with caulerpa, and suddenly about a handful died off. Could that be the problem?

Absolutely or maybe part of the problem, sometimes calerpa dieing off can mean that your not harvesting it enough or even too much. Make sure you have good water quality RO or RO/DI water source and good skimming, and you will attack it from the source more than likely.

[demifelix]

I have always used RO/DI water. I have removed my skimmer because nothing comes out of the skimmer and since my nitrate/nitrite/ammonia are undetectable I thought I don't need a skimmer anymore. Should I hook my skimmer back again?
Also, do you think I should add snails or lettuce to control this algae by any chance? If yes, what should I add that is reef compatible?

[zhenya]

Also, do you think I should add snails or lettuce to control this algae by any chance? If yes, what should I add that is reef compatible?

Not many snails will eat cyanobacteria( which is what it looks like to me), there are some reports that Florida Fighting Conch's ( Strombus alatus ) eat this stuff, but that is not a guarantee. Mine did eat some of it sometimes, however, they require quite a bit of open sand to forage due to their large size and their primary food is( if I remember correctly) Diatom type algae.
I think Rocky's advise is right on target and you should probably try to fight this at the sourse. Reconnecting your skimmer is certainly very helpful, by the way, what type or model is it?

[demifelix]

I used a RedSea Berlin Turbo skimmer. No foam was collected for a while so I removed it. So is this red slime algae or cyanobacteria, or are they the same thing? I'm new to reefkeeping so I'm not that familiar with these different kinds. Also, what is diatom/diatom algae? Thanks.

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by demifelix

I used a RedSea Berlin Turbo skimmer. No foam was collected for a while so I removed it. So is this red slime algae or cyanobacteria, or are they the same thing? I'm new to reefkeeping so I'm not that familiar with these different kinds. Also, what is diatom/diatom algae? Thanks.

Cyanobacteria is often called red slime algae,but it is not algae at all and is bacterial in nature. It is red photosynthetic bacteria and, as a result of this, often got the name red slime...
But, the bottom line of all of this, is that most likely your system is lacking in terms of nutrient export somewhere. This resulted in the build up of the soluable organics in your system and created favorable conditions for this bacteria to bloom. I believe in your case it was your skimmer, perhaps it wasn't tuned properly from the begining and then you took it off line completely.
To expound a bit more on the cyanobacteria, it is present in any tank and even on natural reefs it is an important part of the ecosystem. Only if conditions become favorable for the bacteria to explode in populations that it will be a problem( in tanks it is a real PITA as it is unsightly).
Anyways, I think what needs to be done in your tank is to put that skimmer back online, make sure it is performing properly and all that. Make water changes a bit more frequently, each time as bacteria grows try syphoning it out of the tank during the water changes. Wait two - three days between the water changes as well to let bacteria grow, then syphon it out, repeat as necessary untill you see that the red slime is taking a long time to form. You can reduce the amount of water changes then. Now it will be time to address the nutrient export and input.
Make sure to limit input of the nutrients while you fighting this bacteria.
This can be various things, like making sure your RO/DI filters functioning properly/new, reduce food input (make sure you don't put water that you use to thaw your frozen foods back into the tank).
Exporting what you put in and also waste produced by the livestock should be addressed as well. There are tons of methods available if you do a quick search, from refugia to deep sand beds and all sort of things.
Diatoms are green to brown color algae that you see growing on the glass of your aquarium, simply puting it. I have to pack for my trip now and don't have too much time to go into this algae, hopefully someone else can describe it more for you. Also, try Googling it, you'll be surprized how much information is available online.