So I have this problem.

I am new to rays and I made my first purchase approximately 3 weeks ago. He's in my 310 gallon home made tank and seems to be healthy and happy. I've moved a lot of the rock out and reformed the remainder so that he has the majority of the tank to swim on the floor and in the sand.



Between then and now I was out of town for a week and had a neighbour checking in on the fish and feeding them. Since my return I'm noticing a unique form of rock cover. I have had saltwater tanks in the past and what I'm seeing now looks like 'slime algae'. I can treat it but now I'm concerned that the ray may be susceptable to the treatment. Can anyone advise on a safe treatment for my issues?

Yes while I was away the lights were on in excess of 12 hours most days. Last night was only about 4 but on Average they will be on around 6 - 8. I'll keep it down for a while and see if it can resolve itself. Anyone else?

BTW thanks for the insight and the compliment

I have the unfortunate problem of phosphates occuring 'naturally' in my tap water. the problem was magnified in my salt water tank to the point that I had to purchase ro water for all my waterchanges. I'm not doing that again so I'll have to figure out a way to deal with it. I know there are phosphate removers but I don't really like to use that kinda stuff. I try and keep my tanks as natural as I can.

What I was looking to treat was the 'slime' not the algae. As I understand it the slime is not tru algae and I was not aware that it could be dealt with by providing less light (more natural). Add to that the fact that providing less light is, in itself, a treatment.