Black Velvet

[H.crispa]

Does anyone know what this is and how to get rid of it? It is a black velvet type of funk, grows really fast on rockwork and sand, it seems to contain filaments that give it strength and bind it together in a sheet kind of like a paper towel. It can be blown off the rock in pieces with a turkey baster. I despise it and I want to kill it. Here's a pic:

This has to go. I have a hunch there is something in my water that it likes that did not used to be there. In addition my halides may be shifting and putting out some wavelength that it likes as well.

Any thoughts?

 

[TippyToeX]

It sounds and looks a lot like Cyanobacteria.

How is the water flow in the areas that this gunk is growing?

 

[H.crispa]

It isn't cyano. It's not slimey, stringy, bubbly etc. It is "dry" fibrous, "felt-looking". It looks just like red velvet except for the color.

 

[aaronlovesshel]

looks really bubbly in the picture and if you can blast it off - - most likely the cyano stuff. nutrients!!!! contain phosphates here. please forego the antibiotic approach and focus on your water quality / movement. I hope that helps (HTH)

Aaron