Black algae/Mold on rocks

[ScottyD36]

My tank is almost two years old now. Recently I noticed some black Algae/Mold growing on my rocks. I am not actually sure what is going on. My life stock is still healthy and fine. I am looking if anyone knows what it is and how I can take care of it or if their is some sort of snail or animal that will take care of this. Thanks

 

[damsels are not mean]

If it bothers you try some grazing snails or scrub it off. I don't think a little algae on the rocks warrants making any drastic changes to what you are doing.

 

[ScottyD36]

If it bothers you try some grazing snails or scrub it off. I don't think a little algae on the rocks warrants making any drastic changes to what you are doing.

Yea I am trying to figure out what exactly it is. I am more concerned if it is something harmful growing in my tank I have to worry about.

 

[damsels are not mean]

Yea I am trying to figure out what exactly it is. I am more concerned if it is something harmful growing in my tank I have to worry about.

I guess identifying exactly what it is is difficult but it honestly looks a lot like the same films that grow on my rocks. There might be a million species of dark film algae in our tanks, but it it's anything like mine it is nothing to worry about. I recently just added more snails and they eat it up. The rocks literally go from dark green/gray to white and coralline pink/red in spots that were neglected by my smaller snails. If it is the same stuff then snails are your best bet. In my case it's ninja stars. I imagine turbos, astreas, and trochus would all eat it too.

 

[ScottyD36]

I guess identifying exactly what it is is difficult but it honestly looks a lot like the same films that grow on my rocks. There might be a million species of dark film algae in our tanks, but it it's anything like mine it is nothing to worry about. I recently just added more snails and they eat it up. The rocks literally go from dark green/gray to white and coralline pink/red in spots that were neglected by my smaller snails. If it is the same stuff then snails are your best bet. In my case it's ninja stars. I imagine turbos, astreas, and trochus would all eat it too.

Thanks. I planned on getting a few snails. Hopefully this does the trick.

 

[jda]

If it is hard/firm. then it is coralline. Coralline algae comes in nearly every color... some less adapted to living in our tanks. If it is soft, then likely some sort of matting bacteria, maybe?

 

[ScottyD36]

If it is hard/firm. then it is coralline. Coralline algae comes in nearly every color... some less adapted to living in our tanks. If it is soft, then likely some sort of matting bacteria, maybe?

Yea. I have to do water change today. I plan on going over a small spot with tooth brush and siphon today to remove some of it.

 

[AltitudeAquarium]

It looks like a type of sponge. My live rock had something similar.

 

[dennis romano]

Probably black bacteria like cyano. Should come right off using a siphon. Doubt snails will touch it.

 

[ScottyD36]

Probably black bacteria like cyano. Should come right off using a siphon. Doubt snails will touch it.

I just tried siphoning when I did my water change and it didn’t come off.

 

[BenR.]

Any update with your rocks turning black? My rocks started doing this about a year ago and ended up killing all my coralline algae. I am still dealing with this issue.

 

[ScottyD36]

Not much to report on. It is still in my tank buts hasn't grown or regressed. I did have some luck taking a tooth brush and rubbing it off while siphoning during water changes.

 

[BenR.]

Thanks for your update. I will be moving my tank in a couple of months and I will have to try that.

 

[fishgirljockey]

Thanks for your update. I will be moving my tank in a couple of months and I will have to try that.

Did you ever find out what this is? I have a lot of it in my tank and can't seem to figure out what it is. it's quite frustrating and I don't want my coralline to die. I've worked so hard to get it going and it seems like this black stuff is just taking over.