Red Slime Algea In a Refugium? Good or Bad?

[kungfukoi]

Hello all.

I've a 70Gal Reef Tank with 140 lbs of live rock, and inhabitants.
I have a backpack skimmer, and a backpack refugium.

The refugium has it's light on 24/7 and the macro algea (calupra, and one that looks like green thread.)

I've started to get what I can only guess is "Red Slime Algea" in the refugium. It doesn't appear to be anywhere inside the tank, but I also imagine that the inhabitants would consume it.

So my question is, as the Title suggests... Is it necessarly BAD to have Cyanobacteria in your refugium?

If I understand right, Cyanobacteria actually captures Nitrates...

Please weigh in if you are in the know.

Thank you.

 

[steve-s]

The refugium has it's light on 24/7 and the macro algea (calupra, and one that looks like green thread.)

The macro algae sounds more like chaetomorpha which is not a gaulerpa species. Can you post a pic?

So my question is, as the Title suggests... Is it necessarly BAD to have Cyanobacteria in your refugium?

The presence of cyano is usually from a few issues but one in particularly inherent to refugiums on occasion. The slower flow makes it much easier for this type of nuisance to get hold. If this is a newer addition to the tank, it could simpley be "growing pains" and may yet subside on it's own. The main culprit in it's cause though will primarily be from PO4. I would suggest checking on those levels as the first step. Nitrates in themselves will not usually start the problem but are a great fuel source for maintaining the cyano's growth. A few water changes with RO water should help with the NO3. I would also reduce the lighting back down from 24/7 and opt for a reverse lit setup. This will allow for much stabler ph at the same time limiting another possible fuel source being the light itself. Personally, I have found if the spectrum of the bulb being used is too yellow, it will also spur on unwanted algae growths. If possible I would look into a "bluer" spectrum bulb or possibley an actinic 03.

Cheers
Steve