Purple/Maroon slime like algae attack...

[mikelush78]

Ok I have had this tank up for 10 months and this is a new algae I have yet to see. It started about 3 days ago and not it covers all the sand in the front of my reef and starting to cover parts of rock.
Here are my parameters:
Calcium - 400ppm
Alkalinity - 4.6
PH - Night its 7.95, Day its 8.1
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 20ppm
Ammonia - (I don’t have a test for i found out yesterday, getting one)

I had a couple snails die before the algae brake out I am thinking that maybe the 2 are related? Any ideas? Ill get a pic up when I get home today from work...

 

[Tab64]

Could it be red slime? Do a google and see if that is what it is?

 

[mikelush78]

Ya I think it is red slime. Here is a pic i found that looks like what I have.
Algea that looks like mine

 

[Tab64]

It is something I think most have dealt with. I am not sure what causes it, I have seen it in dealer tanks as well. There is a product called red slime remover. you can get any about any decent pertstore taht sell saltwater supplies. It is a bit pricey for a small vial, but it lasts awhile and works fast. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will post if it is a problem that shows up if conditions are wrong.

 

[Max]

It's a problem that shows up if conditions are wrong. I'd make sure that my tank turned over at least 15x per hour that you don't have any stagnant areas in the water flow. I'd also look at why my nitrate levels were so high. It's true that you can add fish to a tank when they are at 20ppm but, they should continue to fall. Do you have a crushed coral substrate per chance? Tell us as much as you can about your tank.
hth
Chris

 

[mysis]

Your alk is way low, should be 8-12 Dkh, cyanobacteria usually grow in either nutrient poor or nutrient rich conditions. In your case it is nutrient rich conditions.

Controlls: strong water flow, heavy skimming, activated carbon, ozone.

But in your case the reason why it is growing is low alk, elevating it will wipe it out.

 

[Mr.Firemouth]

nano cubes don't usually have skimmers, does yours?
ALK is actually high at 4.6 but is o.k. your calcium will percipitate out faster at higher ALK levels.
Cyano is common, try a phosphate resin and do more water changes. MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING R.O./D.I. WATER FOR MAKE UP AND SALT MIXES!!!
Buy a cleanup crew of snails and hermits.

 

[mysis]

nano cubes don't usually have skimmers, does yours?

I have seen plenty of nanos with skimmers

ALK is actually high at 4.6 but is o.k. your calcium will percipitate out faster at higher ALK levels.

Alk should be between 8-12 Dkh, calcium precipitates with phosphate

Cyano is common, try a phosphate resin and do more water changes. MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING R.O./D.I. WATER FOR MAKE UP AND SALT MIXES!!!
Buy a cleanup crew of snails and hermits.

Cyano is common on new and old tanks, if you increase calcium lvls it will precipitate the phosphate. Clean up crew will help remove detritus and algae that traps it, so it should help to control your problem.