How long are your tank lights on???

[Mappelbaum37]

the title says it all- I have a red slime algae problem and I spoke to someone at my LFS and all of the sudden it just hit me. I used red slime remover on my tank yesterday and the guy told me that it really is the worst thing for the tank because it takes away good bacteria and nutrients and the slime is going to just keep on coming back. He told me to cut back on light and feeding and during water changes siphon out as much slime as I can. Many people on reefcentral had told me to be careful about chemicals but I didnt listen- My corals and fish are fine but I guess I just had to literally hear it from someone. =)

So anyways, how long are your tank lights on (if you have corals and fish, because I have a mixed reef)

[kc9dre]

10 hours for the 10,000K, and 12 for the act.

[Mappelbaum37]

I have 8 hours, 10 with actinics.

[Finding Emo]

Originally posted by Mappelbaum37
I have 8 hours, 10 with actinics.

+1

[vanmo92]

8:30AM-9:30PM

[2farNorth]

I run my MH for 10 hours,
VHO Actinics for 12.

[norwall]

One HQI pendant on for 8 hours, the other on for 8 hours, at 4 hours apart for a total photoperiod of 12 hours. There is more to red slime algae than lighting though. Red slime is actually a bacteria and feeds on nutrients, mainly nitrates. I have had issues with this as well and one thing I do know is it can be tough to get rid of!

[m2434]

Originally posted by norwall
One HQI pendant on for 8 hours, the other on for 8 hours, at 4 hours apart for a total photoperiod of 12 hours. There is more to red slime algae than lighting though. Red slime is actually a bacteria and feeds on nutrients, mainly nitrates. I have had issues with this as well and one thing I do know is it can be tough to get rid of!

IMO, lights are not the issue, nutrients are. Lights can help "clean up"the cyano after the nutrient issue has been solved.

[Mappelbaum37]

so I have too many or too little nutrients?
and if my nitrates are high how do I lower them? Water changes

[Pmolan]

Originally posted by Mappelbaum37
so I have too many or too little nutrients?
and if my nitrates are high how do I lower them? Water changes

Water changes and a refugium.

[DoctorLps]

I run my atinics 12hrs
10,000k I run 10hrs

[reefkeeper135]

are you using RO/DI water?

[Mappelbaum37]

yes I dont use tap water--

[billaweed]

both daylight and actinic for 10 hrs

I leave my moon lights on 24/7 but that doesnt effect anything i dont thinkg

[DOTZ]

8 hour metal halide.

[ahullsb]

I run actinics for 12, mh's for 9.

[ShootMe]

Originally posted by Mappelbaum37
I have 8 hours, 10 with actinics.

+1

[jubjubrsx]

i was planning on 6hrs for my MH's and 1hr before and after for my antics

[ACBlinky]

I run my actinics 11am - 11pm, MH 1pm - 8pm.

IMHO cyano and light aren't that closely related. Cyano can fix atmospheric nitrogen, meaning it doesn't need NO3 in the water in order to grow, so concentrate on starving it of phosphate. You could try a phosphate reactor, a refugium full of chaeto or caulerpa or some phosphate adsorbing resin in a HOB or canister filter. I use a refugium, and it works very nicely -- NO3 and PO4 are always undetectable.