Dose any one know what this is?

[James7733]

I noticed some brown substance on a few of my live rocks. There is none on the sand bed though. Does anyone know what this is?

 

[melypr1985]

It's probably algae. Can you get a better picture of what your talking about? I only see an anemone and rocks.

 

[James7733]

It's probably algae. Can you get a better picture of what your talking about? I only see an anemone and rocks.

Some can be seen on the small rounded piece of rock under the large rock with a coral on it. I found it on three rocks and took the rocks out of the tank. Using a drill with a wire brush wheel I got rid of most of it.

I'm willing to bet if its some form of algae its not a macro! Do you think a high level on the alkalinity would help kill it off?

 

[Diesel]

It's a diatom due through the cycle process

 

[Twomuchless]

Look likes a condi

 

[melypr1985]

I wouldn't mess with the Alk to kill off algae or diatoms. Increased/regular water changes and making sure your water source is 0 TDS is the place to start.

 

[James7733]

It's a diatom due through the cycle process

Odd the tank has been running for nine years ! Is it possible due to changes in the water parameters? I accidentally raised my pH from 8.2 to 8.8. which also raised my alkalinity from 12 to 17. when I used baked baking soda for the first time. Could this have brought this on?

 

[James7733]

I will begin 5 gallon water changes for the next few days starting tonight. Do you think I need to remove the infested rocks for out of tank cleaning or will better water parameters do the trick?

 

[melypr1985]

I always start with the simplest thing first. try the water changes to get your parameters back to normal. if that doesn't work then try something more drastic. Its not going to hurt ya, that's for sure.

 

[James7733]

I always start with the simplest thing first. try the water changes to get your parameters back to normal. if that doesn't work then try something more drastic. Its not going to hurt ya, that's for sure.

Will do the changes. Just don't want to shock the two sebae and hiatian anemones. I do use a RO/Di unit and make sure the TDS meter reads zero. Thanks for the help.

 

[Diesel]

I accidentally raised my pH from 8.2 to 8.8, which also raised my alkalinity from 12 to 17

Dang......... you might have done a lot more than upset your system.
You said you added Baking Soda................ but you baked it first, right?

 

[Diesel]

Oh Boy, I had a nasty PM about my Baking Soda Joke.

Well, it and no Joke........... I will once again enlighten!

"Why do some aquarists bake baking soda in a kitchen oven at 300° F for one hour prior to use?"

A. The baking releases water so that the remaining solid is more potent at boosting calcium in the aquarium.
B. The baking releases carbon dioxide so that it raises both pH and alkalinity in the aquarium.
C. The baking releases carbon dioxide so that it raises pH without raising alkalinity.
D. The baking releases water so that it has a pH lowering effect on the aquarium.
E. The baking converts sodium carbonate into sodium bicarbonate, which then allows it to boost alkalinity in the aquarium.

B and why................ Baking baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) drives off carbon dioxide and water and leaves sodium carbonate

 

[James7733]

Yes I baked the baking soda in the oven first. I also used pure baking soda. Needless to say it raised the PH and Alk. Problem is I dosed yo much. As a result I will be doing five gallon water changes to bring down PH and Alk

 

[dallas reefer]

Oh Boy, I had a nasty PM about my Baking Soda Joke.

What joke

 

[dallas reefer]

Well I was going to say I was told by a pro, to amp up the mag lvl to aid in algae removal. Haven't needed to yet so I don't know if it's right or wrong

 

[James7733]

I also have heard to me up the magnesium's level " however I was told in order to rid the tank of algae only a product made by Kent will actually do the job.