A strange red stubstance growing in my salt water tank and taking over?

Question

I have had my salt water tank set up since March. My husband bought it last year and when he moved in with me he had to bring it over here. The move went well and we didn't loose anything, thank god. The only strange thing is that ever since its been here its started growing this red stuff. First it started on the sand. My husband said it was from the light and it was brunt sand, and that is it. Well now its covereing every inch of live rock we have, the walls, half the live sand, and on the sides. The tank doesnt seem to be unhealthy, nothing ever dies, the starfish just bred, we test the water all the time, but this damn red crap is everywhere!! Its like a fungus or mold? Does anyone know what the hell this is??

Answer 1

Sounds like you have cyanobacteria also known as red slime algae. Your husband was right as far as light having something to do with it but not from burning.... It is a bacteria growth that can be handled in many of the same ways other problem algaes can be taken care of. If you moved to a different town, the water supply there maybe more rich in nutrients and that is one possible cause of it growing. So you may be a candidate for a reverse osmosis deionizing tap water filter. Using RO/DI water for water changes along with cutting the lighting back a few hours a day will help. You can also add some red legged hermit crabs they are the only species i know of that will eat the cyanobacteria. Hope this helps and if you have any other question feel free to email me.

Addition: its not really algae it is a bacteria but commonly called red slime algae.

Answer 2

Well, I think most of the people who answered have a consensus that it might probably be "cyanobacteria". Frequent water changes using filtered water from a reverse osmosis (RO/DI) unit should be a good way to take any excess organics and nutrients out of the water. Be sure not to use any "algae killer" chemicals, which may drastically alter your water chemistry and kill your fish and/or invertebrates/corals.

Also, there might be a slim chance that the "red" stuff you are talking about may actually be a dark purple-ish color? Does the red stuff have bubbles attached to it or in it? Does it look puffy at all? IF it's neither slimy, puffy, or has bubbles and it just looks like crusty purple-reddish stuff, then maybe it's coralline algae? Coralline algae is actually beneficial to your saltwater tank. Although...from what it sounds like, it just may very well be cyanobacteria. Regardless, frequent water changes are a MUST. Good luck!

Answer 3

If this is something that lays flat, or grows upward in threas-like tufts, it may not be a true algae, byt cyanobacteria (red slime "algae"). See photos for comparison: on substrate - http://www.sloreef.com/bojan/Cyanobacteria_files/Cyanobacteria1.jpg on a coral - http://www.unep-wcmc.org/marine/coraldis/cd/I/rbd_II_steph.jpg

The treatment for this is similar to that for algae, but there are some differences sinch this is actually a bacterium. The best control is through managing the nutrients in your tank. Try to keep the nitrate levels below 20 ppm. This may mean for frequent water changes for a while. Also, if you use tapwater to make up your saltwater, you may want to get your water tested. In some areas, the public water supply contains nitrate and phosphate, and this can "feed" the algae, so just doing a water change as normal may not be enough to eliminate this. You may need to use media in your filter to absorb the nitrate and/or phosphate, or you may need to switch to reverse osmosis water. You can get a RO unit to use at home, or you can buy RO water at SuperWalMarts (at the self-serve Culligan dispenser) for around $0.33 per gallon, once you buy their refillable containers. This has the nitrate and phosphate removed through their purification process, but it also removes many of the elements used in buffering your tank, so keep an eye on your pH if using this. If you have corals, you may also want to add a mineral replacement, since this removes calcium and magnesium which your inverts and fish use.

Cyano also doesn't like areas of high water flow, so use a powerhead to increase the flow in the worst spots. When you do water changes, scrape as much of the stuff off as possible, then use your siphon to get it out of the tank as soon as you can.

Unlike true algaes, cyano isn't affected as much by turning the lights off. You can get some macroalgaes (Caulerpa or Chaetomorpha) to compete with the cyano for the nutrients in the tank - true algaes are better at this, so the cyano will slowly be starved out. In this case, you definitely want to leave your lights ON. The biggest drawbact to this is unless you put the macroalgaes in a sump, they have a tendency to overgrow your tank. You will need to regularly cut them back, since it's only through growth and formation of more macroalgae that the nutrients are removed. If left to grow, some will die back and release the nutrients back into the water. See this link for more about cyano control: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm

In the event that this is a "true" algae, you might check this link to identify the type: http://saltcorner.com/sections/guest/algaepage/algaepage.htm Once you know what you have, use the number next to the name to find an organism that eats that type (at the bottom of the page).
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm

Answer 4

No, Cyano micro organism, (pink Algae) won't advance in a sparkling water tank. in case you intend on re-using the substrate, i might take it out , positioned it in a bucket(s) and rinse it properly to get all the airborne dirt and dust out . in case you have not drained the tank and can desire to attempt to kill the cyano, attempt this. Get some pink Slime remover, available at maximum fish shops. manage the tank as directed, yet without lights on the tank for 3 days. conceal the front of the tank in case you are able to with newspaper or a blanket. After the three days, flow to a shortened mild era, slowly increasing the time over the process a week.

Answer 5

Cyanobacteria
Start reading.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/sitesearch.htm?terms=cyanobacteria&SUName=saltaquarium&TopNode=3770&type=1

Answer 6

I totally agree with kelley f! It is red algae. Do as she suggested. The pet store can recommend the best treatment to get rid of it.

Answer 7

Sound like red algea and that is not good. Tak a sample of your water to the pet store and have them test it for you. Signs of red algea ussally mean something wrong with the water Maybe your test kits is old and not working right also take some of the red stuff with you to show them. good luck

Answer 8

its not the water or anything its simply just like a breed of sea mushroom or "salt water fungus" often grows on the walls of saltwater tanks

inbd

maybe scrape it off, that may help