Need help identifying this

LookItsAdam · Oct 4, 2016

I've had my tank set up for almost 6 months now with no problems at all and everything running smoothly. Recently I went on vacation for 5 days and when I came back I noticed my water was a little cloudy and there was some red algae starting to grow. At first it was so faint that I thought it was coraline algae so I left it, but after a few days it's spreading like crazy and I don't know what it is.

Currently in the tank is a clown fish, small shrimp, and a few snails and hermit crabs.

If anybody can help identify the type of algae and what I can do to get rid of it and prevent it and clear up the water that would be great!

cromag27 · Oct 4, 2016

Not algae, red slime bacteria. check out this thread to I.d. and treat:

http://reef2reef.com/threads/cyanobacteria-questions-answers-and-solution.253823/

Salty1962 · Oct 4, 2016

Yes cyano bacteria. Siphon it out.

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 4, 2016

looks like a bacterial bloom too clouding the water. Look for dead snails and test the ammoina. are you dosing any bacteria?

LookItsAdam · Oct 9, 2016

I did have two snails die recently (thanks to the hermit crabs) but the ammonia level is fine and I've also done water changes. I do have some Fluval bio booster, but is there anything else I can do to clear up the cloudiness?

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 11, 2016

Not sure what is feeding it. That's the big question. So you use hand sanitizer scented candles air fresheners. Vape? Stuff like that?

ebushrow · Oct 11, 2016

I would just get the Boyd red slime remover to stop the bloom... then see what is not right, I see no flow via power heads which could be an issue, lighting, high nutrients, .... but get that under control first imo. This tank looks like it was just set up.... is this right? ( not yesterday but recently)