Getting rid of saltwater algae?

Question

I have a large saltwater tank and at the bottom and on the rocks there is a film, now quite thick, of red slime algae. I have many hermit crabs and snails but they don't seem to like it. The algae is like a deep marron color and has the texture of like a slimy material. If anyone has any suggestions on how to remove it, it would help a lot.

Answer 1

Dont over croud you tank with animals
Drain the tank wash everything inside with a mild disinfectant rinse well
Fill tank and add some anti algae solution you fing it at pet stores you add it every 3 weeks or so and no algae forms

Answer 2

This is not an algae but cyanobacteria. If you use any of the "traditional" algae remedies, it won't do anything and nothing will eat it.

There are products on the market - "Red Slime Remover" is probably the best known, but this works as an antibiotic and destroys your tank's beneficial bacteria. Another method (older) was to use erythromycin (another anibiotic, same result). These will work, but should only be used as a last resort!

You can start by removing as much as you can by hand - a really small vaccuum (or just the tubing) is good for this. The next step is to remove the nutrients it feeds on. You can start with a water change - or a couple - to reduce the nitrates/phosphates it needs to grow. Add some fast-growing macroalgae (Caulerpa or Chaetomorpha) to absorb excess nutrients and INCREASE your photoperiod - if the macroalgae has light, it will absorb more nutrients (turn your lights off for a few hours so your fish get a "night"). I've used this method successfully, but it take quite a while.

Two other products that I've seen recommend are Redox and ChemiClean. I've never used either and have seen forums where people have said they had problems using ChemiClean. What may have caused the problem is the sudden death of too much of the algae - this could cause a sudden influx of ammonia.

Good luck! This takes a while to eradicate!

http://netclub.athiel.com/cyano/cyanos2.htm

Answer 3

How long has your tank been set up???
It could just be one of the stages that your tank will cycle through.
Don't add anymore livestock for a couple of weeks and use RO Di water for top-ups and a partial water change.
Make sure you have plenty of current going through your tank (2 to 6 powerheads depending on the size of the aquarium)
All of my REEF tanks went through that stage and eventually it goes away.
I had my tap water tested and it contained a lot of phosphates which feeds algae, now I use only RO water from the store and have NO problem.
Yes you can speed things up a little by syphoning some out or removing it by hand but I like things to do there natural thing.
DO NOT ADD CHEMICALS

Answer 4

lighting fixtures will only make greater algae. nicely-known florescent aquarium lighting fixtures are positive. you're able to go your tank remote from any solar or domicile windows. Snails, and air purifier fish help with the algae, however the only advantageous hearth way is to scrub the tank many times and scrub each and all of the rocks, flora and so on. And in case you're actually not doing so already, turn your aquarium mild off at evening.

Answer 5

listen to copperhead. dead on advice.