Rusty colored growth on rocks?

[kasik64]

Could this just be the beginning of my algae growth? Also getting a purple on my branch that already has algae.

 

[Nolan Shinn]

Yep thats some diatom growth. Purple could be coraline algae on the existing liverock

 

[LBehr]

Diatom bloom should go away prettt quick but if it doesn't add a handful of snails. Snails use same stuff as diatoms to make shells.

 

[Erik R]

That is all part of the healthy Algae cycle, though I will admit to absolutely HATING that purple/maroon slime crap.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Its definitely time to get snails.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

And you'll want to make sure those vermetid snails get scraped off that piece of live rock..

 

[taintstick]

I just posted this in a pico reef thread, this is algae after 3 months. I'm letting it go through all its process' and nastiness before going through with my plans. Few easy coral and live rock, and have coralline on the intake tube already.

Just to show you its normal, but definitely should be cleaned by any which way you'd like before adding goodies.

Good luck feller!! Have fun reefin!

 

[kasik64]

Great, glad it's nothing too serious. Will pick up some snails tomorrow! Thanks for all the replies!

 

[kasik64]

And you'll want to make sure those vermetid snails get scraped off that piece of live rock..

Any tips on how to do that?? And I guess I don't know what they are...

 

[xREEFINaintEZx]

Any tips on how to do that?? And I guess I don't know what they are...

Tweezers,Crush the base of the snail. Some glue them shut. If you stir up a little sand they will cast their "web" it makes hunting them easy. Stay ontop of them. They get in plumbing,pumps,everything.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Any tips on how to do that?? And I guess I don't know what they are...

or scrape with an old butter knife, chisel, carpet knife etc. its the little hard tubes poking out of the rock.

 

[kasik64]

So is it that she'll thing between the branches?

 

[xREEFINaintEZx]

These guys

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So is it that she'll thing between the branches?

These guys

Yup. I'd do it out of the tank and while your at it can scrub some of the gunk algae and build up off a bit too. Won't hurt anything.

 

[kasik64]

Once I scrub it off, is there any way to keep it under control? Or do I have to continually scrape it off?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Once I scrub it off, is there any way to keep it under control? Or do I have to continually scrape it off?

snails will do the work for you.

 

[kasik64]

So today I went and got 3 snails, an emerald, and another small crab (he had cool colors, couldn't pass it up). Read up and people say they kept it under control with snails and emeralds. I also took out the branch and scraped as much off as I could, hoping that it will help.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So today I went and got 3 snails, an emerald, and another small crab (he had cool colors, couldn't pass it up). Read up and people say they kept it under control with snails and emeralds. I also took out the branch and scraped as much off as I could, hoping that it will help.

it will. I would recommend a few more snails and a variety, ading as the ugly phase progresses. Turbos are great but they do get big so buy em small.
keep an eye on the emerald. Its a large animal and needs a lot of food. if you don't have a lot of algae in the tank you'll need to feed it.

 

[kasik64]

I got algae/omega tabs for the emerald. I would like to get bumble bee snails soon, maybe tomorrow, as I realized that my ugly phase got intensely worse over the day when I got home from work. I also noticed my crabs are attacking my snails, so I may have to get a bigger snail that can hold its own.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I got algae/omega tabs for the emerald. I would like to get bumble bee snails soon, maybe tomorrow, as I realized that my ugly phase got intensely worse over the day when I got home from work. I also noticed my crabs are attacking my snails, so I may have to get a bigger snail that can hold its own.

oh well thats all good to hear in a funny sort of way. Glad you got crab food too . Get some empty shells for the hermits.