Simple Ways to Prevent Cyanobacteria { Red Slime Algae }
, by Elmarie Seymour, 1 min reading time
Cyanobacteria is reddish-brown in color and first appear in your aquarium in small clumps or patches. If left untreated, the algae will spread and form a thick, slimy layer across your entire aquarium.
To prevent nuisance Cyano from overtaking your aquarium, routine maintenance is extremely important. Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce excess nutrients and organic debris, which play host to Cyano:
-
Use a siphon to clean a portion of your substrate regularly. This will remove organic debris and uneaten food. Also, be sure not to overfeed your fish. Only feed as much food as they can consume in a few minutes.
-
Be sure your aquarium has good water movement. A powerhead or wavemaker will help increase water movement.
-
Perform regular water changes and routinely replace mechanical filter media.
-
Maintain proper marine pH between 8.1 and 8.4 with buffers or with kalkwasser. A high pH helps discourage aggressive growth of Red Slime Algae.
-
Supplement existing filtration with phosphate-removing chemical filter media.
-
Use a reverse osmosis system for quality source water. This will help prevent build-up of excess minerals in aquarium water from the get-go.
Cyano is an annoying addition to your aquarium, and once present, a challenge to eliminate. The best way to deal with this Cyano is prevention. With a regular maintenance regimen, you can help keep your aquarium beautiful and algae free.