Red algae

[Chrisk1]

The algae is growing rampantly as the tank is close to a window. Can I manually remove or better off getting a bigger cleaner crew?

 

[ruha456]

Chemiclean an then water change after 24 hr

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Should try to find out the reasoning behind the algae.. Phosphates usually the culprit, hogh nutrient levels, too much lighting, flow in that area, the amount of water changes, rodi is a must...

Once you figure it out i find that cutting lights out/off for 3 full days help but u need to check your phosphates and start running phosban in a reactor if you havent already. Within those 3 days siphon out all that algae and do a water change. I would follow with 1 water change for the next 2 days.

 

[peteyboyny]

Are you using RO/di water or tap water?
Like said above, RO/di is a must!
+1 on the Chemiclean. I would manually remove as much as possible before dosing the chemiclean with a turkey baster. Within 48hrs, you will need to do at least a 30-40% water change. If you are running a protein skimmer (hopefully), it will be going nuts until the water change is done (I take mine offline while dosing, then repower after the water change). Should clear up the problem. Then, time to find out why this is happening to prevent it again.

 

[jackson6745]

The algae is growing rampantly as the tank is close to a window. Can I manually remove or better off getting a bigger cleaner crew?

Most likely your water quality is mud but you need to provide more info if you want an accurate response.

Provide a full tank photo
Tank size
filtration
fish/coral list
how old is system
Are you testing? Which test kits? results?

 

[Reefcowboy]

Sometimes you will find although getting better flow, and fixing possible issues, it will still keep growing.
I had a start of cyano in my tank and tried fixing the common issues,but by the time I figured the hell with this and got ready to get some product against it, it was already crawling over some expensive zoas, and making them shut down. I got myself a product called ultra life red slime remover and dosed less than recommended since I was worried it could impact my tank....as promised in 2 days it was all gone. It makes the skimmer over react but besides that that was it. After the 48 hr I changed 20 percent of the water and the tank was just like before the algae issue. Since I didn't get rid of the problem earlier, some zoas attacked are now open, but loss some color. All other corals were indifferent. I believe adding chemicals to a reef tank is the last resort, and got this med because I was guaranteed by the top end LFS owner who is a food friend of mine as being safe...don't play with red slime, it will crash your tank if you don't eradicate it soon...seems like its already crawling all over your substrate....good luck

 

[Chrisk1]

Thanks guys. I plan on manually removing today and picked up ultra life red slime remover was told is similar to the products recommended. Parameters are normal based on testing the other day. Didn't write down the numbers. I added a picture of the tank 64 Red Sea max. Could it be the extra light from balcony door? That area that is exposed is where the growth is the worst?

 

[Reefcowboy]

Wow, what a nice tank! Nice rock work buddy. It def is growing due to the sunlight. Weird Bc. Wouldn't think that would be the culprit but remember cyano is a bacteria.
The red slimmer remover will work and it will be completely safe...please let us know how it worked and put up a pic!

 

[ruha456]

Maybe the red slime is due to your shade being open and direct sunlight hitting the tank, that's what it looks like in the pic. Is tank often exposed to sunlight? Just a thought I could be wrong.

 

[jackson6745]

Chris, it's your water quality. You shouldn't get an algae explosion from the sun hitting your tank unless your waste level is very high. Phosphate and nitrates are probably very high. You need a long term solution. Waste must be exported from the tank more efficiently. Better skimmer, Phosban Reactor, and increased water changes are a start.
If you keep looking for band-aids, you will never have real success in this hobby.
I hope you get things right because your rock work looks awesome and I think the tank has very good potential

 

[ecvernon]

I agree with the others. Definitely a issue of nutrient control. My tank gets direct sunlight daily but no increase of algae. I run gfo, carbon and do water changes to rid of extra nutrients. The only time I get cyano is when I go crazy with feeding something like phytoplankton or coral frenzy. Then to correct it, a water change and change of GFO if necessary

 

[Awibrandy]

Ditto on what Jackson said!!

 

[Chrisk1]

Thanks guys. Water change and red slime remover did the trick.