What is this??

[jherrin215]

I am pretty certain this is some type of algae but I can't figure out what. It has always been on this rock mainly with spots here and there on other rocks. It is super dark red/purple on top and peels off like a mat. It is white on the bottom, no real roots or anything and is thick whenever you peel it off. Thick like at least a 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick soft mat. Let me know what you think.

 

[jherrin215]

Sorry for the bad pic, it was taken with my phone but it usually does better. If anyone needs a clearer pic for ID I can bust out the wifes camera.

 

[Giglamesh]

serious cynobacteria not good, how much flow is in your tank?

 

[jherrin215]

cynobacteria? It has been on that one rock and a couple of other places for almost 2 years without really spreading. If I pull it off it comes back on that rock but not just randomly in the tank. I have a koraila 4, a koraila 1400 evolution, and 2 cheap 3200 GPH powerheads with about 600gph return flow.

 

[jherrin215]

Here is a pic that I took of a sheet that I just reached in and pulled up off the rock, front and back.

 

[disc1]

Yucky Cyano. There is probably a dead spot in the flow right there.

 

[vikubz]

Does it blow off with a turkey baster?

 

[jherrin215]

No you have to pull it off. I thought cyano was like a thin dusting. This is a thick mat.

 

[vikubz]

Cyano can form thick mats. I have found where there is an accumulation of detritus it will form a carpet, and when you blow it off or brush it off it will peel up with a layer of crud stuck to the bottom. That being said, I have a type of encrusting sponge in my tank that could be mistaken for cyano, except that it has a porous structure like a sponge would. Even thick cyano should blow away with a turkey baster, at least partially IMO.

 

[SushiGirl]

Cyano can form thick mats. I have found where there is an accumulation of detritus it will form a carpet, and when you blow it off or brush it off it will peel up with a layer of crud stuck to the bottom.

Yep. I have a few small spots like that in my tank, as well.

 

[ritter6788]

I agree with everyone else that it is cyano. Flow has nothing to do with it. You need to increase your nutrient export/feed less/check your source water.

 

[jherrin215]

I only feed once a day, use 0 tds ro/di water and use gfo and have a 30 gallon fuge with chaeto that never grows.

 

[ritter6788]

Skimmer? I know you're not happy about it but it's cyano. How big is your tank? What's the fish load? How much and what are you feeding everyday? GFO removes phosphates but doesn't do anything for nitrates which fuels cyano as well.

 

[jherrin215]

If that's what it is that's what it is. It's a 180 dt with 30 gallon fuge and 30 gallon sump. Red Berlin skimmer that pulls about a cup a week (modded). Have a vlamenji, saigin, foxface, 3 firefish, 2 clowns, flame angel elbi angel and a coral beauty.

 

[jherrin215]

I feed two types of pellets and a flake food all mixed. I don't know exactly how much but not a lot. maybe 25 pellets with some flakes too. Nori about twice a week and occasionally some mysis shrimp.

 

[jherrin215]

And the highest my nitrates have tested in the last 2 years is between 0 and 5 ppm. Guess the cyano could just be consuming them though. I am fixing to upgrade to a 225 and should have 55 pounds of dry Eco rocks arriving in the morning. Hopefully with the extra rocks I will be able to handle the nitrates I have. I won't be adding any bio load. Only the fish I have now and more corals.

 

[justin_g]

cyano for sure

 

[jherrin215]

Any suggestions on what to do bout it?