Dry Rock Algae

[dragonfly16]

First, thanks to all who offer experience and advice to others. I wouldn't consider myself new to the hobby but can struggle with impatience. After a couple of years of no tanks I have set up another Nano tank with the Marco's dry Rock. I have never used this rock and it's now at the stage where it is a very very dark green and not to be confused with GHA. How long before it subsides, should I try to control it and how OR should I just take a pill for my impatience.

 

[Dan_P]

First, thanks to all who offer experience and advice to others. I wouldn't consider myself new to the hobby but can struggle with impatience. After a couple of years of no tanks I have set up another Nano tank with the Marco's dry Rock. I have never used this rock and it's now at the stage where it is a very very dark green and not to be confused with GHA. How long before it subsides, should I try to control it and how OR should I just take a pill for my impatience.

If you send a photo under white lights there is a chance the green growth can be identified.

 

[dragonfly16]

If you send a photo under white lights there is a chance the green growth can be identified.

Water parameters are good

 

[Dan_P]

Water parameters are good

It is a little out focus when I magnify the image but there seems to be at least two types of algae growing.

Algae grows under a wide variety of conditions, making water parameters almost useless for predicting whether algae will spread or not.

 

[dragonfly16]

It is a little out focus when I magnify the image but there seems to be at least two types of algae growing.

Algae grows under a wide variety of conditions, making water parameters almost useless for predicting whether algae will spread or not.

 

[dragonfly16]

So do you think this is part of new tank syndrome (3 mos old) and it will eventually work itself out or do I need to aggressively attack it?

 

[dragonfly16]

So do you think this is part of new tank syndrome (3 mos old) and it will eventually work itself out or do I need to aggressively attack it?

Here's a different pic

 

[Dan_P]

So do you think this is part of new tank syndrome (3 mos old) and it will eventually work itself out or do I need to aggressively attack it?

The term “new tank syndrome” in this hobby is a rather misleading term because it is not a syndrome, sickness, or sign of laziness. It is just what happens when a new, clean surface is placed under water, subjected to light, microorganisms and food for the microorganisms. Stuff just naturally grows.

And there is a natural progression of biofilm development: organic matter, bacteria, diatoms, etc. The “etc” depends on what is in the aquarium to colonize the hew biofilm. After diatoms, what further colonizes the biofilm is up for grabs, depending on what you unknowingly inoculated the system with when you started stocking and what was attached to the stock. Everything you add brings in many species.

And this brings you to your next steps. Finding out what species is bothering you, and whether it die will out on its own or take over, and what you can do to hurry its demise. I think you came to the right place to get advice on how to nudge your biofilm development to something you prefer.