What Algae is this?

[Little_Aquarist]

This is the picture. "CLICK HERE"

I have an algae growing rapidly in my tank. This isn't my tank, however this looks like exactly what I have. I just added dead rock into my tank, so I believe that might be a part of it's appearance. Anyone know?

Thanks,
Brooks

[ddfc04]

If it is red in color it is probably red slime algae, which actually isn't an algae at all but instead it is a cyanobacteria. Check this out.

Red Slime Algae (Cyanobacteria)

I have a small case of it in my tank as well. Product called "Chemiclean Red Slime Remover" is what i am going to try. Its only like 10 bucks online compared to 20+ in stores. I have never used it so im not sure if it will work but it is advertised as fish/invert/beneficial bacteria safe. Maybe someone else can tell you more about the product. In the artical it tells you other color forms that the "agae" may come in as well.

[Seige]

I've had some too. My emerald and sally like it. It tends to come when it I get a detritus buildup. When I cut down on feedings it go's away.

[bschuerman]

Your best combat against this kind of algae (Without turning to chemicals) is to suction it out every day with a turkey baster. Reduce the amount of food you are putting in the tank. Consider purchasing a phosban reactor to reduce phosphates. Reduce your lighting cycle slightly. If this is a new tank you will see some algae blooms but cyano right off the bat is kind of weird. I get cyano in my tank at 15 months and the only way to really combat it is with a turkey baster. It really is nasty stuff and over feeding and excess nutrients will cause it to "explode" as a matter of speaking.

[returnofsid]

My best luck with combating cyanobacteria has been with re-directing flow, or adding more flow to the effected area. It seems to like low flow areas. I've tried siphoning it out and is usually comes back. By getting more flow to the area, it's gone in a couple of days.

[Parrothead]

Based on the picture provided in org. post, it is a diatom bloom common during intial run in and will go away by itself, it's part of the cycle. Be patient, red slime algea is a differnt creature altogether and is caused by a high level of dissolved nutrients or lack of flow, add a power head for the later, for the first do some water changes, as mentioned brown leave it alone it will go away in a couple -3 weeks or so.

Tanks,
Robert

[cdearing]

Brooks,

I am having a problem with this as well in my 29. I don't think I feed too much. I feed twice a day and my fish seem to be starving. They never let a piece of food drop to the bottom. Some say that the nutrients are coming from somewhere. My tank is too small to try moving the powerhead and I don't want to starve my fish so... It's not just a cycling tank. My tank is 14 months old and I do once a week water changes. If your tank is new then it probably is just a bloom and should go away on it's own.

Cynthia

[Little_Aquarist]

It is not a new tank. It's 26 months old. I've added more flow to the effected area (the entire tank) however it doesn't seem to be doing TOO much. I'll give it a few days.

[LAReefs]

It is not a new tank. It's 26 months old. I've added more flow to the effected area (the entire tank) however it doesn't seem to be doing TOO much. I'll give it a few days.

Have you checked the TDS of your RO water?

John
LA Reefs