[BubbaWPB]

Originally Posted by Captain326

I have found an interesting product that might help anyone looking to get rid of red slime. Has been recomended on many occasions
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...tegory_id=2223

That is erythromycin based. It says it is reef safe, and it is safe for invertebrates. Note that it does NOT say "Safe for nitrifying bacteria"... because it's not.

[Captain326]

So it kills he bacteria?

[leebca]

Yes, to your question. I'm never in favor of adding antibiotics to the display tank. Things get 'messed up' real quick.

Using antibiotics to get rid of red slime was fairly common a few years back, but it has its down side, as mentioned by Bubba.

[BubbaWPB]

Any chemical additive will only temporarily rid your tank of red slime. If you don't cure the problem (by improving your filtration, stop overfeeding, etc.) the red slime will be right back.

I have resorted to chemical attack when the red slime was so bad it started to smother stuff - but it was used in combination with major tank hygiene improvements, massive water changes, etc. Chemi-clean didn't seem to cause the problems that erythromycin caused.

[Captain326]

But the main cause of the algae is poor or improper maintenance, correct?

[leebca]

No. You're forgetting the earlier posts regarding a tank that isn't matured yet. You're forgetting about the possible sources of nutrients that are coming into the tank that 'feed' the algae (e.g., the quality of the tap water you were using).

There are few things that can take the place of time. Cleaning out the aquarium is a positive approach, but if you begin the aquarium cycling over again, it will still take more time for all the micro organisms and bacteria to settle into an ebb and flow.

In the meantime, you can introduce livestock (e.g., Sea Hare, snails) that specialize in eating such algae as the aquarium continues to mature and you hunt down the source of the nutrients that are feeding your algae.

[Mini_Reef]

I have a suggestion...... Of course, I'm not as seasoned as a lot of these guys, so please, anyone feel free to let me know if you've tried this method...

I took a trip to my LFS today, and asked my usual 20 questions.
Several of which dealt with algae growth.
The head fish guy, who has several degrees in this wonderful field, took me over to their "problem tank". Every time I've gone into the store, that specific tank has ALWAYS had some sort of algae problem. They've been battling it for a while, and it always seems like once they clear it up, it comes right back, and stronger.
He tells me about this stuff they had recently gotten in, called Marine S.A.T.
One 12 ounce bottle will treat 120 gallons once.
He tells me the "story".....a few weeks ago when they got the firrst shipment, he dumps half a bottle in the 60 gallon problem tank, raised the buffer and alkalinity to harden the water a bit, and then closed up shop and went home. The very next morning....barely 12 hours later, 90% of the algae is gone...not just floating on the top, or diminished...just GONE.
the next week, he repeated the dosage exactly....and has not had a problem since. The tank looks beautiful enoughto be a display tank for the front of the store! Except for the sickly sailfin they're nursing right now, of course. :P SO anyway...I added the reccomended dosage to my little 30 gallon tank, and I'll post in the morning to let you all know if it's that great.
A little info about the product:
non-toxic, Biological clarifier for Reef tanks and saltwater aquariums.
Clarifies around live rock, on surfaces-throughout the system.
Beautifies in 2 to 4 weeks
Reduces and Siplifies routine maintenance.
Safe for all desirabel marine animal and plant species.
100% live bacteria -Not a chemical Non-Toxic, Non-pathenogenic

(Back Lable)
Initially, Marine SAT makes removal of hairy fibers, scum, and mats easier. Make the first dose, wait one week, then remove unwanted hairy fibers, scum and mats directly.

After you get it a little more under control, you can dose your tank monthly.

Again, I'll post in the morning any results.

[Captain326]

Sounds almost too good to be true...still if it works, post a hyperlink to an online ressource. Make sure to keep us posted on its progress in the tank

[Mini_Reef]

I've got to say...WOW.
My water looks great, very VERY clear, and for the most part,
most of my green hair algae is gone!
The only areas that still have some noticable hair are ow on the rocks, next to the sand. I'll do like the bottle recomends, after one week, I'll remove any algae that I can, and dose it again. But, seriously...I have never seen my water look this good. I'll post again in a few days.
(The first link is the home page for TLC Aquarium and Pond Products,
The second link is the view of the label of Marine SAT)

http://www.tlc-products.com/pages/1/index.htm

http://www.tlc-products.com/images/L...Marine_SAT.pdf

[Dean812]

For me, it was the water i was using. A branded mineral water that was supposed to be rev Osmo water was not. It testes high in all the wrong things. I started using REAL revosmo water from my local fish store and after about a month it all went away. And I had it bad too!!!Dark Dark red stuff growing in a blanket over evereything! Im so glad its gone. I changed all the stuff in my filters too, so that and the new water made the differnce for me.

Hope you get it figured out. It's not a pretty sight I know.

[Hebert2580]

Originally Posted by newtothis

As of today our salinity is 1.22[just added salt water yesterday as salinity was low after replacing water] it is usually 1.23 to 1.24 and the temp. is always 78 to 79.5 degrees. we use tap water and add Start Right to it, and weekly we add Cycle Supplement [also when new fish or invertabrae's are added]. The nitrites and nitrates are good, ammonia and pH also good. We do not have a protein skimmer.

OK. First thing is the tap water, taop water is very very bad to use, I know it sucks but you need to use good or water, Its really hard to get rid off phosphats and silicats (Its spelt wrong I know) Out of your water.. I had the same issue here, and It can be fixed I promise. I didnt use the chem clean stuff cause its bad for you tank and it eats alot of good bac. I use this product called Ultra life red slime remover, The product works great, and the plus side its safe for everything, You should do a water change after then go ahead and add cycle. Try that.. I worked very well for me....