| Many new saltwater aquariums suffer from red slime | | | | How to Get Rid Of Red Slime Algae In a Saltwater |
| algae and this leaves many aquarium owners | | | | Aquarium |
| wondering how to get rid of red slime algae in a | | | | Because red slime algae is a natural part of the |
| saltwater aquarium. | | | | aquatic system it is not recommended that you use |
| Red slime algae is a common occurrence in marine | | | | chemicals to kill it off. What normally will happen is |
| aquarium systems. It is very common in newer | | | | that the nitrates and phosphate levels will spike when |
| saltwater tanks that have not yet reached a | | | | there is no algae to absorb it. Then when the algae |
| biological balance. If your tank is under 6 months old | | | | reappears it will come back more severe do to the |
| you can almost expect it to grow in your system. In | | | | excess nutrient build up. |
| older more established tanks it maybe a sign that | | | | You can however try some nitrate and or phosphate |
| something is wrong and the system is out of balance. | | | | absorbing filter media to starve the algae of its food |
| What Causes It | | | | source. But you need to find the actual source of |
| Generally it is caused by a build up of nutrients in the | | | | your nutrients first. Surprisingly many times it is the |
| aquarium. These nutrients are nitrate and | | | | tap water you use to make the saltwater that is the |
| phosphates.These nutrients are put into the tank | | | | cause. |
| from fish waste and food. In most new systems | | | | Many cities and towns add phosphate to the water |
| that are correctly stocked and filtered the problem | | | | to stop the pipes from rusting, so every time you do |
| will normally go away on its own in a few weeks, it | | | | a water change you are adding more algae food into |
| just takes patience on your part. | | | | your tank. To avoid this you can buy a reverse |
| In older systems you may need to clean your filters | | | | osmosis water treatment system or use distilled |
| more frequently, reduce the number of fish in the | | | | water from the store. |
| tank or give the tank a real good cleaning. A good | | | | Many saltwater aquarium keepers have also reported |
| cleaning would involve vacuuming the gravel | | | | that red slime algae does not like high water flow so |
| thoroughly and blowing of any live rock work you | | | | you can also try to increase water flow into the |
| have with a small power head to clean off any | | | | problem areas and see if that helps. |
| settled waste. | | | | |