Sand / Nitrates

dawgfan1

Hey Gang,

Well, after talking with everyone regarding the dreaded red slime, I have been taking all recommended steps to control the problem (short of adding chemicals) I have not been able to stop or even control the slime. However I have arrived at some conclusions during this process and I want to see what you guys think about this. Here are the facts:

1. I have red slime, and it sucks.

2. It comes back within 3 days of cleaning the sand and doing water changes.

3. I do weekly water changes of atleast 10% (55gallon tank) during the last 3 weeks I have been doing 20% per week.

4. I use R/O water for my water changes

5. My Phosphates, Nitrites and Ammonia test at 0.

6. My Nitrates are at 40, always have been, don't go up, don't go down. I think this is strange considering the amount an regularity of water changes. My Nitrates have ALWAYS been like that, but the slime is a new thing.

7. Salinity is 1.025, PH is 8.2, Calcium is around 400, water is clear, temps is 79 degrees. I use live rock and crushed coral in my Fluval, and I use a Remora Protein Skimmer, which is making good foam.

8. The red slime appears in the same spots every time.

9. I have live rock (30 pounds+) but I do have a rather large piece of lace rock (8 or 9 pounds, if that matters)

10. My live sand is around 3" deep and is probably 18 months old, however it was taken out of the aquarium and kept in buckets of water for about a month before it went in my tank 9 months ago.

11. While vacuming the sand I noticed that the water that comes out looks like the water in the skimmer collection cup

12. Water flow; I use a spray tube on my filter outlet, and two powerheads, one that I use a with a wave maker.

My questions are as follows:

what is causing the slime and the constant Nitrates?

Can the sand be bad, some how? I just don't understand how I can change that much water and test good for everything else but Nitrates?

If I remove some sand and lower the depth of the sand bed will there be a positive impact, or will I be causing problems for inverts and corals?

I am thinking about getting a fish to do some of this work. I know someone suggested a Flame Angel, how well will they do with soft corals and the Super Tang?

I have been thinking about getting an orange spotted Goby, will he eat the slime, or just sift the good sand?

Lots going on here, I know, but take your time and let me know what you folks think about this quandry. until them I will be preparing for the next water change.

Loman

I am pretty slow to advize turning the tank ino a chemmestry set but that may be appropriate in this case. I have used freshwater marayn in simmilar situations with good effect. There are other roducts too like red slime remover

dawgfan1

I suppose I will have to consider that as an alternative. I am really trying to make that a last resort, but maybe your right Loman, and that is where I am at now. I am curious as to why my Nitrate levels do not go down, even after a water change, I am willing to bet, if add a red slime remover, my Nitrates will remain the same. Also I started to think about it, and I didn't have the red slime until after I started adding soft corals, perhaps a coincidence?

chadf

Are you using sponges or anything else that may be trapping debris that is causing nitrates? If you use the slime remover it may come back since you aren't addressing the problem.

bmaj

You coud try this stuff call Algone* i use it whenever i have an algae breakout, an 1 little packet usually does the job. I sitck my in a HOB Filter . Dont know where to get the stuff tho since it was givin to me.