Chemi-clean for transparent slime
 

I have transparent slime over most of the glass, rocks and sand in my display tank. According to some research done on RC, it could be caused by a bacterial 'infection' which in turn, is caused by low oxygen content (which I had and may still be a bit low) and too high nitrates.

Question: could Chemi-clean clear this up just like a Cyano bacteria outbreak?

I would of course have to be very careful of my oxygen levels.

AquaAddict

Are you carbon dosing?

When you say "slime" are you talking like a clear fuzz on the LR. I'm curious as to what this would be if it's not a simple bacteria.

I second this question, if you are carbon dosing you can get a build up of clear snot like material from bacteria going crazy.

Here is a pic of my skimmer when I bumped up my vinegar dose a little too much. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8972a6c4f0.jpg


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Ew.

Ha ha... you weren't kidding by describing it as "snot".

Thanks for the replies but it doesn't look too much like the snot in your picture Davej. Its very clear and collects fine debris which is the only way it shows up other than it feeling very slippery/slimy to the touch. However, that may be due to it growing on a different surface. So, I am not ruling it out.

If it is thick enough it gets a bit fuzzy and that's when it collects the fine debris in the water.

It seems to do better in darker spots as it doesn't collect as well on the front glass.

Oh yes, I don't carbon dose.

AquaAddict

My suspicion would be a bacterial overgrowth. Which would in turn cause low oxygen levels.

Most bacteria are fed by carbon sources such as sugars, acetic acid and alcohol.
Do you use any acetic acid(vinegar) or alcohol near the tank or in the house?
Do you use any additives to help coral growth etc as they can sometimes have sugars in them.

What are your tank parameters for calcium and alk?

Is there a lot of detritus in the tank?

Cheers,
Tim

I use Calcium Gluconate, Kent TechM, BRS alk., Red Sea Coral Colors.

Mg is today at 1500 - I was trying to raise Mg to counteract an out break of Bryopsis when I discovered this 'slime' while cleaning the glass and trying to toothbrush off the Bryopsis (which also white). I stopped the mg dosing on Wed evening when my Frogspawn and anenomes started moving underneath their rocks. Now I am beginning to wonder if I also really do have Bryopsis as it is not responding and has always been white instead of green even though it looks exactly the same.

kH is approx 12! Last week it was 8.
Ca is 360 (recommended level by manufacturer is 380).

I have had problems with low O2 because my hubby wanted to seal the whole system to eliminate moisture. Some time agoI opened up the sump in the 42in clearance crawlspace (I am a small person) and put in a fan. Last night I opened up half of the refugium (75 gal) and removed another glass panel on the display tank so now it is half covered.

No vinegar or alcohol.

Thanks for all the information. I think it will help a lot.

I think I might try the Chemiclean after a few days in order to let the Mg settle down a bit more. Then, of course, a 30% water change.

AquaAddict