Black substance on rocks

[ltrace]

My tank three years old in Jan 2018. I have notice this black carpet like substance on a couple of live rocks. It is also on snail that was crawling across the top of the rock. Can anyone ID this substance and if it is harmful to the tank how to rid it from the tank?

 

[sfin52]

Can you get a pic. I think that would help a ton.

 

[ltrace]

My tank three years old in Jan 2018. I have notice this black carpet like substance on a couple of live rocks. It is also on snail that was crawling across the top of the rock. Can anyone ID this substance and if it is harmful to the tank how to rid it from the tank?

Can you get a pic. I think that would help a ton.

 

[sfin52]

That snail is a master of camouflage. If I were you I would blame the snail I don't have a clue. I'm sure somebody on this site will known.

 

[ltrace]

Thank you. @Humblefish, @melypr1985

 

[DSC reef]

Looks like red turf algae. Astrea snails have went to town on that stuff in the reef tank. The snail can't clean it's own shell though

 

[sfin52]

Looks like red turf algae. Astrea snails have went to town on that stuff in the reef tank. The snail can't clean it's own shell though

I have seen my snails cleaning each other. Or you could take a toothbrush and clean it off.

 

[ltrace]

The substance is very black and doesn't blow off or scrape off.

 

[DSC reef]

Looks dark red to me. I'm saying turf algae, extremely hard to manually brush off.

 

[ltrace]

If that's the case how do I rid it from the tank?

 

[DSC reef]

I had about 15-18 astrea snails in the 75, they literally devoured it over time. I tried to brush it off with no success. Maybe a wire brush would fare better though

 

[Humblefish]

Looks like some sort of turf algae, but let's ask #reefsquad for their input.

 

[reeferfoxx]

I had this growth once a few years ago. Lighting was a factor in my case. Lighting intensity as well as exposure time.

 

[jsker]

Any idea of what the phosphates and nitrate are?

What are you parameters
Ca
Alk
Mg

 

[jsker]

I had this growth once a few years ago. Lighting was a factor in my case. Lighting intensity as well as exposure time.

Good point

 

[reeferfoxx]

Yep. Dug up this old photo of my growth. All I did was focus more attention on light intensity and exposure time. Both were reduced and ended up eliminating this growth. So, it wasn't so much a nutrient issue.

 

[ltrace]

Ca-420
Alk-8.4
Mg-1560
ph-8.2
Nitrate-5
Nitrite-0
Ammonia-0

 

[divewsharks]

I had great success with tuxedo urchins in the past.

 

[Segalplayer]

Any ideas on what this red thing is? I’ve seen a couple specs on rocks and now shell that is near the front glass...

Sal- 1.025
PO4 20pbb (0.061)working on bringing down
Calcium 375
Alk 8.4
Temp always 78-79

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

I had great success with tuxedo urchins in the past.

Agreed. Tuxedo urchin or maybe small short spine. They will mow everything down very quickly. Not sure what else you have in your tank? If possible move the rock to the sump and have them clean it there?
The problem is after they are done, what to do with them. Maybe you could get a loaner from the LFS or have someone take it off your hands after it's done. I've given up on having urchins in my tank, they can chew through almost anything.

I have to say though, I think if you have this in your tank it's a pretty good sign. Rocks in the tide pools where I am are covered with this so it's natural for it to grow and even healthy. I have this on the rocks that I've wild collected and there is a lot of life on them. The algae is also beneficial.