red algea?

[paperlong]

My tank has just started growing a red algea all over. I mean on the sand the rocks it is everywhere even on the top of the water. what is this and what can i do to get rid of it? Their are air bubbles attached to most of it suspended in the air.

[mogurnda]

Sounds like you have cyanobacteria, AKA red slime.

It happens a lot in newer tanks, as the various bacteria sort themselves out. Skimming, lots of circulation, water changes and time usually get it under control.

So:
Is the skimmer producing a lot of junk?
How much circulation have you got?
How is your alkalinity?

Edit: just read your post about the tank.

I didn't see what else is in the sump. Can you put a light over it and add some macroalgae for nutrient export. Always helps things out.

[Cartman102]

I had that stuff and I couldn't get rid of it! But this is what I did. I bought a product called "Chemi-Clean" and used it in my tank. It got rid of all the cyno! I then add more powerheads. The chemi-clean product made my tank very smelly and cloudy (i guess it depends on how much algae you have?) all I did was a 25% water change added some more carbon and tank cleared up!
It would help if you have a sump/fuge to put in some macro algae. The chemical wont harm them. I used the chemical back in early April and today, May 21, I have seen no traces of cyno anywhere. Not only did I increase water movement but lowered the lighting from 8hrs a day to 5-6hrs. It will help alot! Cyno isn't harmful so don't worry. Cyno is just very ugly.

[Owens187]

as long as you have good skimming, vigorous water circulation , frequent water changes, and dont overfeed, it will usually burn itself out.

[paperlong]

I used some chemiclean for the red slime and it worked over night. But when i hooked my protein skimmer back up it over flowed twice, it has slowed down since this I was just wondering if this is normal?

[Cartman102]

I used some chemiclean for the red slime and it worked over night. But when i hooked my protein skimmer back up it over flowed twice, it has slowed down since this I was just wondering if this is normal?
Yes it is my friend. I had to leave my skimmer off more maybe 2 weeks? Don't worry it will get back to normal. You should leave it off because that stuff you see coming into the collection cup is the chemiclean. With a few water changes the skimmer should be back working normal. :thm: