Red Slime Algae : Dealing With Red Slime Algae

Red Slime Algae is one of 4 pest algae that are common in the marine aquarium hobby. No hobbyists has been left unscathed, we've all had them before regardless. This is a guide towards eradicating Red Algae from the aquarium.

So lets start with the basics. Red Slime Algae is a prevalent problem in saltwater aquariums. It actually isn't an algae at all, it is a cyanobacteria like spirulina. They form mats that eventually cover large parts of the tank. They are one of the four biggest algae pests marine aquariums face, the other three are hair algae, brown diatoms and dinoflagellates.

Chemical removers enjoy brisk sales simply because most hobbyists are looking for a quick fix. Chemical removers are just that, quick fixes. While they may remove red slime algae with some effectiveness, they do not correct the source of the problem. Red Slime Algae normally comes back after a month or two after treating the tank.

Higher than recommended nutrient levels are the prime reason why hobbyists deal with these red slime algae on a regular basis. We need to address elevated nutrients immediately if we hope to be successful in our endeavor.

The two nutrients we will be focusing on are nitrates and phosphates. Fish food, detritus and fish wastes contribute to both those nutrients. To reduce waste in the tank we should lower the amount and frequency of feedings to the present livestock. Manual removal of any red slime algae present in the aquarium will help in stopping its spread.

Also remove any fish waste, detritus and uneaten food that you find. Perform as many water changes as necessary to reduce your nitrate reading to zero. Phosphate removal is a much easier task. It usually takes 48 hours to bring your phosphate levels down to zero when using these products.

Rapid red slime algae growth may be linked to your lighting set up as well. As light bulbs age they tend to shift into the red spectrum. Replace your bulbs if they are older than 6 months, just tobe on the safe side.

Red slime algae does not do well in areas of high flow so be sure to increase water flow in these spots. All the methods listed out here are effective towards getting rid of red slime algae, but only if you are diligent and most importantly, patient.