Midnight

Looks like a ugly case of Cyanobacteria.

Here is a pretty good article on controlling Cyano. Cyanobacteria and Red Slime Algae

I too have ordered the SMR1 bio pellet reactor. You may know, but the bio pellet reactor needs time to build plently of bacteria to break down the bio pellets. During the "break-down" process, a carbon source is released into the system which aids in fueling beneficial bacteria. It's basically like vodka dosing, but on an auto-pilot. Just remember the bio-pellet reactor will need time to substantiate itself in the eco system to be beneficial.

What are your water parameters?

Oh Cyano, how do I hate thee, let me count the ways! I had a nasty cyano problem for my first year. I feel your pain.

Hey Midnight my friend, you know I've had all marine algae known to man. Couple things that might help shorten the outbreak. Feed ya fish once every three days. Also I would put a glass in the bottom of my tank and would literally pull the Cyano off the substrate and rocks. Put it in the glass to totally get it out the tank. You could syphen it out and add new salt water every time. Try and do one of the two everyday.

The article Mledford posted is an awesome read!

Good luck bud!

Ummm......How do you follow a post like that? lol

no miracle magik words to make it all just go away huh?

Yes red slime control by boyd enterprises is your magic word. It'll kill it, but you've got to stop it from coming back again with increased flow, better water, or less light...(figure out what's causing it first)

Is that Cyano or Dinos? I had stuff that looked very similar and I finally eliminated it by raising my pH with Kalk to 8.5 for 10 days. Of couse, since I didn't eliminate the source of nutrients, I had a green hair explosion right after. :lol:

i have been running eco bak for 5 weeks now and its great, do half amount of pellets for a couple weeks then add the rest or be prepared for a crazy bio bloom(tank goes milky white) or two i had high nitrates and hair algae in my sump and over flow and sps was loosing color nitrates at 20ppm, now all is better undetectable nitrates. also how old are your test kits might need new ones i would. the one thing with pellets is you need to watch your parameters especially on a established tank(1yr+) lots of old gunk in there the bac from the pellets will feed on. in the end its so worth it. also make sure you can plump the outlet from reactor as close as you can to skimmer pump, and be ready to clean and empty cup daily at begining. good luck

Thank you guys for all the input! My test kits for phosphate and nitrates are fairly old. I try to order some new ones. What brand tests do people like best for phos and nitrates?

sailfrete, elos, tropic marine are kits i like and use