red slime remover question

ktar · #1 05/10/2006, 09:10 PM

i was wondering if the tank water turn a yellowish color after putting in the medicine. also how long do i leave the skimmer off for.

bigkev76 · #2 05/10/2006, 09:40 PM

I have used this product before and wasn't thrilled with the results. It worked, temporarily, but definately not a permanent solution. It will color the water, have a serious effect on both oxygen levels and Ph, and don't skim for at least 24-48 hours. Not worth it IMO. I know everyone in the club is trying to eliminate them but I find that flatworms are the best consumers of red slime algae and free food for the fish.

dalbrecht · #3 05/11/2006, 10:03 AM

This is not a permanent solution. At best, you're putting in a broad spectrum antibiotic in your tank & killing off some good bacteria with the bed. At worst, you release enough nitrogenous compounds in your tank from the die off to create an even worse problem.

Your best bet is to reduce phosphate in the tank water. You can't control cyano by limiting nitrate as it's capable of utilizing atmospheric nitrogen.

I second the herbivore option, Snails & small hermits rapidly get it under control in my tanks.

2 other options are to use kalkwasser to slowly raise your ph. this will due a few things ( 1 raising ph inhibits the growth of some algae (particularly dinoflagellates) It encourages the growth of coraline algae & lastly, Kalk causes Phosphate to precipitate out of solution. )

SkiFletch · #4 05/11/2006, 11:14 AM

Been fighting cyanobacteria myself lately. Even though my phosphate kit read 0ppm I decided to run a phosphate binder as a last resort. The growth of the cyano has been stopped and my cerith snails (only have two) are GOBBLING it up. My nassarius, turbos, and astreas wont touch the stuff but the ceriths love it. My hermits eat a little of it too, but their activity pales in comparison to the ceriths.

Long story short, even if your test kit reads 0 phosphates, dont believe it and run some binder in there. If you dont have cartridges for it, buy some, wrap it up in some women's nylon knee-highs and stick it in a bubble wall in your sump (thats what I had to do).

ktar · #5 05/11/2006, 01:28 PM

where can i get some of these ceriths snails. thanks for all the help.

bigkev76 · #6 05/11/2006, 04:31 PM

I have a bunch of them. How many you looking for, pm me and let me know.

ktar · #7 05/11/2006, 05:15 PM

how many do you think i need for a 65 gallon and a 30 gallon. and i how much for them

SkiFletch · #8 05/11/2006, 05:30 PM

If I had my way I'd get 10 of the for my 45gal...

bigkev76 · #9 05/11/2006, 05:47 PM

I would probably get 15-20 in the 65 and 10 in the 30. I would like $1 each for them. I also have margarita snails and the larger turbo snails. Margaritas - $1 each and $1.75 for the turbos.

ktar · #10 05/11/2006, 09:54 PM

pm me your number so i can call and set up a time to pick up the snails.

ktar · #11 05/12/2006, 09:51 AM

do i need to do water change after two day usage of the red slime remover.

bigkev76 · #12 05/12/2006, 01:04 PM

pm sent

friendlyAlien · #13 05/14/2006, 11:22 AM

Also ... test your water ... most really fast growing algae has to do with bad water parameters. I find that most annoying algae can be beaten with algae eaters and a couple of good water changes.
(Unless of course your DSB is saturated

)

ktar · #14 05/14/2006, 01:20 PM

thanks for all the help, did a big water change all water parameter are back to normal. also pick a few extra cleaners. got 30 more snails and 10 hermits crabs. also added a sea hare for the green hair algae. i beef up the cleaner crew.

ktar · #15 05/14/2006, 04:22 PM

i think my main problem is using tap water. i dont have a close source for ro water.

Stephany · #16 05/14/2006, 05:25 PM

I agree. Home RO/DI systems aren't too too expensive, maybe you can split one with kase?