Recurring Red Algae

[adamsfour]

I have a 115 gallon mixed reef tank. The tank is 15 years old so very mature. The coral are doing fine and there are only 4 fish. My parameters are cal 425 , alk 9.25, mag 1200, phosphate.17 and nitrate 2. My lighting is 3 Hydra 26. For two years I have been fighting a recurring outbreak of red algae mostly high in the tank. The pattern is the same. Outbreak starts, increases until it reaches a point it’s bad enough that I do a chemiclean treatment. After 48 hours gone. About 2 or 3 months later the pattern repeats. Clearly not getting to source. Any idea how to get rid of problem permanently

 

[Lasse]

Outbreak starts, increases until it reaches a point it’s bad enough that I do a chemiclean treatment.

This indicate that it is not an algae - its indicate that it is a red cyanobacteria strain that build mats. Is there any chance that you have a low circulation in these parts there it shows up? Not because low circulation cause cyanobacteria outbreak but that low circulation will make a calm place for organic matter to sediment and these will be food for the bacteria. I would also rise the NO3 to around 4 ppm. What do you meassure the NO3 with?

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Dan_P]

I have a 115 gallon mixed reef tank. The tank is 15 years old so very mature. The coral are doing fine and there are only 4 fish. My parameters are cal 425 , alk 9.25, mag 1200, phosphate.17 and nitrate 2. My lighting is 3 Hydra 26. For two years I have been fighting a recurring outbreak of red algae mostly high in the tank. The pattern is the same. Outbreak starts, increases until it reaches a point it’s bad enough that I do a chemiclean treatment. After 48 hours gone. About 2 or 3 months later the pattern repeats. Clearly not getting to source. Any idea how to get rid of problem permanently

I am not able to offer any cures, but am a student of cyanobacteria. Could you post a photograph of the portion of the aquarium that is exhibiting cyanobacteria growth?

What I am interested in is the physical relationship between the coral and where the red slime grows. I am wondering whether the coral are feeding the cyanobacteria. My idea is that food availability and lighting are the two factors that determine the red slime location.

As Lasse has pointed out flow plays a role in determining where organic matter can deposit. Exudates from coral could be the organic matter. Overgrown or stressed coral could play a role in determining how much organic matter is produced.


Thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Cyano can be highly annoying to the reef aquarist. It’s not generally due to any sort of ordinary chemistry issue.

It can help to lower organics and increase flow, as folks note.

There are lots of ways folks try to deal with it. Search on cyano and you’ll find many.

 

[adamsfour]

Interesting experience. Decided to add chemiclean. I had some on hand. I followed the instructions as usual but this time my skimmer did not go crazy. It remained normal. I assumed my chemiclean had gone bad. But much to my surprise it work as usual. May me think that I should simply add a reduce amount every month. Anyone have a similar experience

 

[Justfebreezeit]

I am not able to offer any cures, but am a student of cyanobacteria. Could you post a photograph of the portion of the aquarium that is exhibiting cyanobacteria growth?

What I am interested in is the physical relationship between the coral and where the red slime grows. I am wondering whether the coral are feeding the cyanobacteria. My idea is that food availability and lighting are the two factors that determine the red slime location.

As Lasse has pointed out flow plays a role in determining where organic matter can deposit. Exudates from coral could be the organic matter. Overgrown or stressed coral could play a role in determining how much organic matter is produced.


Thanks!

I'll try to get a picture with lights on tomorrow. I have a dead acro frag that got covered in cyano. Only place in the tank. Over the last few months a poccilipora base has encrusted out and killed about half the cyano and growing right over if. Leaving only the tip of the old acro/cyano.