I'd for sump algae

[captain_jimmy]

Hi everyone,

This is growing in my sump, there are a few of them growing off bio balls.

Any idea what it is? Should I keep or ditch it, I'm inclined to keep it unless there's a specific reason not to.

 

[Nanoreefboi]

I have a few of those in my AIO chamber. I don't know what they are, possibly some sort of bacterial colonies that feed off of particulates in the water. They don't harm anything in my tank, so I'd keep them. Maybe they help soak up nutrients caused by detritus, hence why they are in a 'dirty' sump.

 

[captain_jimmy]

I have a few of those in my AIO chamber. I don't know what they are, possibly some sort of bacterial colonies that feed off of particulates in the water. They don't harm anything in my tank, so I'd keep them. Maybe they help soak up nutrients caused by detritus, hence why they are in a 'dirty' sump.

Yeah I hoped it would be soaking up some of my phosphate.
It seems to have pretty good structure.
I don't know much about aquatic flora though so have no idea of any pros or cons.

 

[BeltedCoyote]

@ReefSquad

 

[Dan_P]

Hi everyone,

This is growing in my sump, there are a few of them growing off bio balls.

Any idea what it is? Should I keep or ditch it, I'm inclined to keep it unless there's a specific reason not to.

What does it feel like?

 

[captain_jimmy]

It feels like a plant. Retained it's structure when I rolled.one of the arms between my fingers.

It was very easy to break off, I pinched it gently with tongs and it came straight off.

 

[Dan_P]

It feels like a plant. Retained it's structure when I rolled.one of the arms between my fingers.

It was very easy to break off, I pinched it gently with tongs and it came straight off.

I doubt that it is a plant. Too pale. Looks more sponge like.

 

[Rmckoy]

I’ve had tons of what looks very similar .
as soon as you touch It to remove it , it turns to dust ( wet dust )
Can be washed off under running water

 

[captain_jimmy]

I’ve had tons of what looks very similar .
as soon as you touch It to remove it , it turns to dust ( wet dust )
Can be washed off under running water

Oh I just pulled some out and it retained its shape.

It looks a little like this stuff, although this guy doesn't seem to know what it is either.

 

[Rmckoy]

Almost like feather duster tubes ?

 

[captain_jimmy]

I’ve had tons of what looks very similar .
as soon as you touch It to remove it , it turns to dust ( wet dust )
Can be washed off under running water

I can roll it between my fingers and it still stays intact.

 

[captain_jimmy]

Almost like feather duster tubes ?

Ah not that hard.
In the video above that was two little spikes I pulled off and rolled together. It lost shape as soon as I removed it from the water but retains volume and feels organic but solid even after rolling it around.

 

[captain_jimmy]

Update: well it's spreading and growing quickly so I think I might remove some of it.
One of them has a big tube coming out of it.

I did a whole bunch of research into different sponge types and this looks like a couple i found. I'm sure it's harmless but I don't want it to get out of control so will prune it back.

I have a shrimp living down here and he seems ok but he stays in the corner as far from this as possible. Could be coincidence.