what is this stuff?
- Thread starter exhumed07
- Start date
Leaving the lights off for a couple of days might help (i.e blackout). When Hurricane Ike hit Texas two years ago I was without power for about four days. After that, my cyno/red slime went away and never came back. As mentioned, it seems to be part of the cycling process, as mine had only been set up for about six weeks at that point.
What you have is not a true algae but is cyano bacteria. Though leaving the lights off will help the minute you turn them on you will have another outbreak unless you remove the root cause. Do a really good water change and remove what you can from the rock when siphoning during your water change. Increase the flow by adding or adjusting your powerheads. Reduce the amount you are feeding to help reduce dissolved organics which increase the nutrients in your water.....ie, nitrates and phosphates these feed the bacteria. Step up water changes until you see a reduction then maintain a good water change schedule. I don't really recommend using Chemi Clean or other antibiotic removal as it can alter your biological filtration and it doesn't really get to the root of your issue just treats the symptoms. Nutrient reduction through less feeding and more water changes, increase water flow are the long term answers.
I had mine blacked out for 65 hours and turned the lights on today and did a water change. About 95% of the cyano was gone the sand was white. There was some left on the rocks that I sucked off during the water change. My corals opened right up and all the fish were fine and hungry. Hopefully it doesn't come back as strong but I bet I see it growing on the sand when I get home from work in a few.