Help! Something is taking over my tank.

[ody]

Hi all,

I have a 30 gallon tank. I have a deep reddish algae (?). It started a couple of weeks ago, and I have been able to remove it by hand. When I do so, it comes out in clumps. I went away on vacation, and when I got back last night it had spread all over the sand bed. Does anyone know what this is, and how I can get rid of it. Unfortunately, my camera is down right now. Otherwise, I would take a pic. Thanks for any help!

 

[KyleinCT]

sounds like red cyano. Is the tank new? If so, you can expect it. Leave lights off some; increase flow, buy some large mexican snails, remove what you can by hand.

 

[ody]

I just googled red cyano. That's it! Thank you so much!! How many mexican snails should I get for a 30 gallon.

My tank is about 5 mos. old. I currently have a maxijet 1200 and tunze 9045. Both of these pumps are directed at the water surface. Should I get another pump and direct toward the bottom of the tank?

Thank you!!

 

[KAS2]

Try to get your flow to move the entire water column, which is not always possible. Cyano starts in the dead spots on the sandbed, where detritus accumulates and feeds nuisance algae. You don't need to blast the sand - that will only cause sandstorms or sand dunes.

 

[smcnally]

Mexican Turbos will not eat cyano. But they are good to have to get rid of other algaes. I agree on upping the flow in the water column. Also check your phosphates and slow down your feeding for awhile. If it starts getting bad, don't be afraid to use "Chemi Clean" to get rid of it while you get your parameters in check. Many people have used it, including myself, and I've never heard of anyone having a problem from it.