Coral line Algae? or Cyanobacteria?

EphraimReef · Jan 8, 2020

Hello R2R member’s, About a month ago I Purchased live rock that had been dried up with a few shades of coral line Algae left dried on it...I’ve began my curing process in a brute trashcan(WITH LID) with a powerhead, heater, and I’ve started to notice the rocks turning reddish purple.. some parts black.. some white... some light green(but mainly reddish purple) . My concern is are the reddish marks cyanobacteria it’s not slimy nor stringy just marks that have grown since curing for about 3 1/2 weeks with water changes weekly. ALSO NOTE I use red sea coral pro salt and 0 TDS water from my RODI.
?Can Coral line Algae grow in the dark?
?Can Cyanobacteria grow in the dark?
my rock has been in the dark(brute with lid) during this curing process.. that’s what has me confused...
(I also have added my skimmer & GFO and Carbon Reactor to the brute upon seeing this)

yesterdays phosphate reading (0.503 ppm)

EphraimReef · Jan 9, 2020

Heres some pictures

lapin · Jan 9, 2020

Being coraline is algae, it needs a light source to grow. Bacteria does not. I dont know what you have there.

EphraimReef · Jan 9, 2020

lapin said:
Being coraline is algae, it needs a light source to grow. Bacteria does not. I dont know what you have there.

Ok, thanks for your input. This particular rock was submerged well at the bottom of the brute and I brought it to the top after my water change and to also forward photos.

jeffchapok · Jan 9, 2020

If it blows off with a blast of water from a turkey baster, it's not coraline.

EphraimReef · Jan 9, 2020

Ok thanks. Will test as soon as I get in

EphraimReef · Jan 9, 2020

jeffchapok said:
If it blows off with a blast of water from a turkey baster, it's not coraline.

Just got in so I tried blowing a different piece of rock with the baster and, Nothing Flew off! I definitely appreciate the feedback. I’ll test my parameters later and see where they have me. No odor either. So I think it’s close to being done. To those who aren’t sure like I was... Coral line algae can develop in darkness in a brute can during curing process.. at least from my experience!