So what is this and how do I get rid of it!!??

[JG1]

Tank has been running for 6 months. Had been running zeovit and started to get this crap on my rock, I stopped zeovit a month ago and then this stuff really took off. It's everywhere on my rock...been trying to toothbrush it off but there's so much of it.

Params:

Ca 440
Alk 9 dkh
Mag 1380
PO4 0.03-0.04
NO3 undetectable
Salinity 35ppt
Temp 77-78

Running HC-GFO and GAC in a dual Rx. Doing a 10g water change every Sunday (100g system).


Help!!

 

[JG1]

Could dosing Coral Vitalizer or Amino Acids fuel this stuff?

 

[bertoni]

Any kind of nutrients might help the stuff grow, whatever it is. Is it more like a goo that breaks apart very easily, or more like an alga that has some stronger structure?

 

[JG1]

Any kind of nutrients might help the stuff grow, whatever it is. Is it more like a goo that breaks apart very easily, or more like an alga that has some stronger structure?

It's stringy...not gooey. I was told it may be lyngbya? It holds bubbles.

I tooth brushed the hell out of my tank today but there's only so much I can do. I have some ZeoZyme which is supposed to break down proteins on rock and sand...not sure if I should use it daily or not.

 

[bertoni]

Well, I'd guess it's an alga, although it could be an encrusting gorgonian, for all I know. The bubbles could be from photosynthesis. I'd be tempted to try some GFO for a while, but I'd be prepared to take further action.

 

[acropora1981]

JG1 I certainly ran into huge algae problems after using an amino acid supplement.

Do you have any snails or grazers?

 

[JG1]

JG1 I certainly ran into huge algae problems after using an amino acid supplement.

Do you have any snails or grazers?

Yes but they will not touch this stuff.

Will stop dosing the AA's.

 

[JG1]

Well, I'd guess it's an alga, although it could be an encrusting gorgonian, for all I know. The bubbles could be from photosynthesis. I'd be tempted to try some GFO for a while, but I'd be prepared to take further action.

I'm running about .8c of HC-GFO in the BRS Rx

 

[StealthRider]

I had this stuff all over my rocks, but i threw a ridiculously large clean up crew in my tank and wiped it out within a day. The hermits might not look like they are eating it, but there may just be to much of it for them to put a dent in it before it grows.

 

[JG1]

I had this stuff all over my rocks, but i threw a ridiculously large clean up crew in my tank and wiped it out within a day. The hermits might not look like they are eating it, but there may just be to much of it for them to put a dent in it before it grows.

I don't have hermits, just turbo's and trochus snails.

 

[ReeferBill]

I.d.?

I.d.?

It looks like a brownish type of hair algea but I do not know if it is possible,I have never seen any other than green.What are your water perameters?:wildone:

 

[JG1]

It looks like a brownish type of hair algea but I do not know if it is possible,I have never seen any other than green.What are your water perameters?:wildone:

Brown hair algae is a good description of it.

Params are in the first post.

 

[StealthRider]

That is how i would explain the problem i had aswell. Go With The Hermits. lol

 

[JG1]

That is how i would explain the problem i had aswell. Go With The Hermits. lol

what kind of hermits? How many lol?

 

[StealthRider]

Just the regular hermit crabs that they sell at your LFS. stick as many as you can afford in it. lol prob like 20 and see if they do the job. if not grab some more.

 

[JG1]

Just the regular hermit crabs that they sell at your LFS. stick as many as you can afford in it. lol prob like 20 and see if they do the job. if not grab some more.

So you got the blue leg hermits I guess, not the scarlett red ones?

 

[ReeferBill]

Brown Hair Algea?

Brown Hair Algea?

I would add 2 dozen snails as well and when they climb on the glass take them off and place them back on the rock. Their your snails put them back too work!:thumbsup:

 

[JG1]

I would add 2 dozen snails as well and when they climb on the glass take them off and place them back on the rock. Their your snails put them back too work!:thumbsup:

The snails do not touch this stuff...maybe it's too long??

 

[JG1]

Someone mentioned boosting my Mg level up to around 1600 will kill this stuff off.

Bertoni, any thoughts?

 

[dzhuo]

It's stringy...not gooey. I was told it may be lyngbya? It holds bubbles.

It's lyngbya (a type of cyano) or a relative of it. I think without microscope or a sample send to an expert, it's impossible to ID correctly. 3 days without light will kill the majority of them (but they might come back if nothing else is outcompeting them for space and nutrient). There are also snails that will eat them. If you are looking to go this route, I would suggest that you talk to John at reefcleaner.org; he should be able to help you. The sea hare that I used to have also eats it. drummereef also had great success with a certain Zeovit products. You might want to PM him for info. Lyngbya seems to be able to thrive in both nutrient rich or poor environment which makes it some what difficult to deal with. Generally speaking, it seems like when our tanks are so devoid with other algae or micro-organisms is when they would take over a tank. When your tank matures, it will get out competed.

Temperature also has a lot to do with it. The higher the temp, the faster it will grow. If possible, I would lower temp a degree or 2.

Good luck JG!