Red algae

[Reef Pilot]

Even N03 of 20 is not really high, unless you have SPS corals. Fish certainly don't mind. But you should get a better test kit.

What do you use for P04? Many of the cheaper ones do not measure accurately at the low end. Salifert or a Hanna LR checker work well. I used to think I had no phosphates or very low until I got a Hanna Phosphate checker.

Having said all that, one of my tanks used to have high nitrates (40+ consistently) and high phosphates (over 1.0), but I still did not have a cyano problem because of my MB7 dosing. It adds beneficial bacteria to your system which out competes cyano.

You'd be better off changing 10g of water every 2 weeks.

[Slyguy00]

Thanks for all the input. I will be getting a new test set next week. I need a more accurate mag, all and calcium test anyways. Hagen six. I will deff be looking into that mb7. And really? You think it would be more beneficial to my tank to do 10 every two weeks instead? why is that?

[Reef Pilot]

You get a bigger vol turnover in your tank with 10 g every 2 weeks instead of 5 every week. Do the math.

Or think of it this way. If you changed 50% of your tank every week, or 100% every 2 weeks, which will provide a more complete turnover of your water? Of course that is not practical or recommended, but just wanted to use that example to help make the point.

[Slyguy00]

Makes perfect sense. I will start doing that next time. Thanks for the advise!

[mattr]

could it be red slime?

[daplatapus]

Originally Posted by mattr

could it be red slime?

Yup, red slime and cyano are one and the same

[Slyguy00]

Looking into it further, I think I may be running my lights way to long as well. I believe that could be an additional reason as to why I have cyano bacteria. How many hours a day do you guys run your lights?