Red Slime, Cyano, Cyanobacteria

[Dude64]

Feel like this is cyano, but this is a well established tank and this stuff grows even in the heaviest flow areas. On everything... gravel, filter box/skimmer box, heater, and rocks. I'm considering adding a "Microbe-Lift Algaway 5.4 Algae Control Aquarium Algaecide" regiment, but I'm concerned I might kill the coraline algae as well. Of course I don't find anything that states 'coraline-safe/cyano-deadly'.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Feel like this is cyano, but this is a well established tank and this stuff grows even in the heaviest flow areas. On everything... gravel, filter box/skimmer box, heater, and rocks. I'm considering adding a "Microbe-Lift Algaway 5.4 Algae Control Aquarium Algaecide" regiment, but I'm concerned I might kill the coraline algae as well. Of course I don't find anything that states 'coraline-safe/cyano-deadly'.

Cyano can develop in both new and established tanks and typically start when water nutrient concentrations of phosphate, nitrate and other organic compounds are too high. Often, when there are areas with little flow, detritus builds up and becomes a platform for cyano. Water changes are important unlike what the perception of not doing one which reduces the organic content that feeds cyano.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Protein skimmer which fills water with air bubbles which form from the reaction chamber, dissolved organic compound molecules stick to them. Foam forms at the surface of the water and is then transferred to a collection cup, where it settles as skimmate. When the protein skimmer has low efficiency or you do not have the suitable protein skimmer to cover the tank, the air bubbles created might be insufficient and can trigger cyano .
- Use of Aminos which actually feed them.
- Overstocking / overfeeding, your aquarium with nutrients is often the culprit of a cyano bloom
- Adding live rock that isn’t completely cured will act as a breeding ground for red slime .
- If you don’t change your water with enough frequency, you’ll soon have a brightly colored red slime algae bloom. Regular water changes dilute nutrients that feed cyanobacteria and keeps your tank clear
- Using a water source with nitrates or phosphates is a welcome mat for cyano. Tap water is an example of po4 and no3 introduction.
- Inadequate water flow, or movement, is a leading cause of cyano blooms. Slow moving water combined with excess dissolved nutrients is a recipe for red slime algae development

I recommend to reduce white light intensity or even turn them off for 3-5 days. Add liquid bacteria daily for a week during the day at 1.5ml per 10 gallons. Add Hydrogen peroxide at night at 1ml per 10 gallons. Add a pouch of chemipure Elite which will balance phos and nitrate and keep them in check.

After the 5 days, add a few snails such as cerith, margarita, astrea and nassarius plus 6-8 blue leg hermits to take control.