red stuff

[scottdwh]

I keep on getting this red algea all over my substrate and rocks. My tanks been up since October and its a 75 gal, with about 75 lbs of live rock, crushed coral bottom, 3.5 watts/gallon, PH is 8.2, temp is 81, no ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate. Have Seaclone protein skimmer and Fluval 404. Initially filled with tap water but since been topping off and doing water changes with RO. I have no clue how to get rid of it. It is not hard to get off the rocks and bottom, it just blows right off but once it is clean, about 4 days later the tank will be covered again. It doesnt get much on the glass, just the rocks and bottom. Any ideas what I can do to get rid of it.

 

[BrianH]

I think a lot of new tanks have this same problem. Most people say to do water changes and wait it out. I tried this method myself for about 2 months. Since that didn't work for me, I decided to go the chemical route and bought red slime remover by ultra life. This product got rid of my red cyano after two treatments over four days. If you use a chemical like this I would make sure you have enough SW mixed to do a large water change and run some carbon for a few days after the treatment. The red slime remover turned my tank orange for the 4 days but nothing in my reef tank was harmed except he red cyano. I would also recommend that when using this product that you aim one of your powerheads to the water surface since this product can reduce the oxygen level in your tank.
Brian

 

[scottdwh]

I went out today to get some alk and calcium tests b/c I though one of those might be off causing this red algae which is starting to get on my nerves. My calcium is at 465 and my alk is at 5.0 I know that my alk is high and think that may be the problem. Any way I could lower that? My ph is still at 8.2 and salinity at 1.025