What is this, algae or something else?

[Jarhead-CO]

Not sure

what this stuff is but it grew pretty fast. Anyone know what it is and if it needs to go how to remove it. On the rock picture it's at the top kinda to the left on the small round piece sticking up.

 

[Cory]

The sand looks like diatoms. They will die when silicate dies off. Use ro/di

The rock looks like either cyanobacteria or corraline. Does it blow off easily? If so its cyano. Use carbon and a good skimmer itll go away. Plus ro/di water

 

[Jarhead-CO]

The sand looks like diatoms. They will die when silicate dies off. Use ro/di

The rock looks like either cyanobacteria or corraline. Does it blow off easily? If so its cyano. Use carbon and a good skimmer itll go away. Plus ro/di water

No it doesn't blow off easily and they are growing quite long could it be dragonfallets.

 

[Cory]

No it doesn't blow off easily and they are growing quite long could it be dragonfallets.

If its hard like a coral its corraline algae thats good. Only way to tel is with a microscope. But dinoflagellates produce long strings of bubbles looks like snot. Diatoms just cover everything without the bubbly strings. Search images of it.

 

[Jarhead-CO]

If its hard like a coral its corraline algae thats good. Only way to tel is with a microscope. But dinoflagellates produce long strings of bubbles looks like snot. Diatoms just cover everything without the bubbly strings. Search images of it.

I have that's why I'm confused. The diatom I saw didnt have long strings to them like what these are and there are no bubbles like dino.

 

[Cory]

I have that's why I'm confused. The diatom I saw didnt have long strings to them like what these are and there are no bubbles like dino.

In the pic looks like diatoms itll go away provided your not supplying silicate either direcly or indirectly

 

[Jarhead-CO]

In the pic looks like diatoms itll go away provided your not supplying silicate either direcly or indirectly

Nope no silicates. I use ro water and instant ocean salt. I used all live sand and live rocks/life rock from CaribSea.

 

[Cory]

Nope no silicates. I use ro water and instant ocean salt. I used all live sand and live rocks/life rock from CaribSea.

New sand, even live sand will release silicate temporarily. However food could be a source too

 

[bubbaque]

Looks like diatoms. Are you just using ro water or rodi?

 

[Jarhead-CO]

New sand, even live sand will release silicate temporarily. However food could be a source too

Tank is 3 months old I'll have to check my food but here's an enhanced photo (as best as I could with my phone).

 

[Jarhead-CO]

Looks like diatoms. Are you just using ro water or rodi?

Probably just ro water. What ever you get from the 5 gallon refill stations. Instead of making my own I had a bunch of 5 gallon jugs that I fill up for 1.25 each.

 

[Cory]

Tank is 3 months old I'll have to check my food but here's an enhanced photo (as best as I could with my phone).

That looks like bryopsis

 

[Jarhead-CO]

That looks like bryopsis

It's on other rocks and also on the substrate. That's what's starting to spread and grow quickly.

 

[Cory]

It's on other rocks and also on the substrate. That's what's starting to spread and grow quickly.

Fluconzole seems to be a solution look that up

 

[Jarhead-CO]

Fluconzole seems to be a solution look that up

Sounds good. I'll try to keep it chemical free and get something to eat it first probably.

 

[CamG]

If the tank is 3 months old I wouldn't worry too much.
This is common with new tanks and as your rock ages, it will start to consume more of the excess nutrients in the tank.
I think you should just keep up with regular water changes and remove what you can manually.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

That looks like bryopsis

its not.(just got rid of mine. Thers no feathers or ferns)

If the tank is 3 months old I wouldn't worry too much.
This is common with new tanks and as your rock ages, it will start to consume more of the excess nutrients in the tank.
I think you should just keep up with regular water changes and remove what you can manually.

yup. except consider better water. and get some snails in there.

 

[Jarhead-CO]

its not.(just got rid of mine. Thers no feathers or ferns)

yup. except consider better water. and get some snails in there.

I have 1 turbo snail 5 crimson hermit crabs and an emerald crab, plus loads of copepods. I had 5 margarita snails but they all died. Never found out why. Not sure how much better the water could get unless I make it and that's not in the cards right now.

 

[bubbaque]

I bet a lot of the issue from using RO water from one of those machines. If you have a tdd meter I bet it would read really high still.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Not sure how much better the water could get unless I make it and that's not in the cards right now.

I get it. It took me some time too. But in my unfortunate experience, the water gets much much better.
I encourage finding a lfs or chemical or gas supply for rodi.