Slim on Mud

[disco76]

I have had my tank running for about 5 weeks now,the miricale mud has recently had patches of slim algae growing on the surface of the mud is this normal in the begining as i havn,tseen this on any pics of other peoples systems:o

[Cranners]

I suspect that that maybe due to flow across the mud - I have had red cyano growing around the algae roots when the flow is reduced by the growth of the algae.

What algae do you have in the sump? chaeto or caulerpa?

jon

[zimreef]

Yep - in my MM systems I have encountered this from time to time - as long as it's not in the display personally I don't have a problem with it!

John

[Smitherington]

And me.

I get all kinds of nuisance algae in my sump.

As long as it doesn't affect the growth of the macroalgae I don't worry.

I must admit that I think mine is due to the bulbs in the sump getting old now(18 months) and are in need of a change.

I'm currently looking at changing over to energy saving bulbs so haven't got round to it yet.

It hasn't spread to the display at all so not bothered either.

[Cranners]

The display should be a no go area for such algae blooms with clean up crew and good flow rates. Slime algae can grow over the fronds of caulerpa and I have this happen a few times - I harvest these and compost them - Regular harvesting of the algae will help to increase flow over the mud which will help reduce the slim algae and the removal will reduce the nutrients feeding the slime hopefully mostly taken up within the sump macro algae

keep an eye on it

Jon

[disco76]

thanks for all your suggestions guys its not to bad at the moment just a bit unsightly,my return pump is rated at 4600 but was thinking of upgrading to a eheim one rated at 5500 i think and its adjustable,hopefully this will help!

[scottishreefer]

Rather than upgrading your return pump can't you just add a small powerhead into the area where the algae is in your sump to give extra circulation there?

[disco76]

Dragging this one up from the depths....the slime algae has gradually got worse over time to the point that it is now affecting my macro algae growth,i have been removing clumps of affected algae that has been smothered by it,do you think i should remove the filter floss from my first compartment to increase the flow slightly,i currently have the sump lit by two 25w energy savers similiar to cranners and growth hasn,t really been that great,only harvested about half a dozen times over about a year :(

[Sherminator]

Rather than upgrading your return pump can't you just add a small powerhead into the area where the algae is in your sump to give extra circulation there?

I suppose that could work, but seemingly a waste of energy there? When you can upgrade a return pump, this will be overral beneficial to your main tank.