What is this?

[emperata]

Tank is one year old. Ideal parameters. Livestock thriving. Gray fluffy funk all over the rocks. What is it? I need help please!https://youtube.com/shorts/gMzs3Rm1k10?feature=share

 

[Arego]

Seems to be some kind of algae and detritus flapping around. What happens if you brush a whole rock off? Does it come back, how fast if at all?

When did it start, did you recently do anything and what is ideal?

 

[emperata]

Seems to be some kind of algae and detritus flapping around. What happens if you brush a whole rock off? Does it come back, how fast if at all?

When did it start, did you recently do anything and what is ideal?

It circulates like any other particulate would. And returns slowly. Ideal? Well that’s pH 8.1 - SG 1.023 - CA 420 - Alk 10.2 - Temp 77 - 0 nitrates, nitrites, ammonia. I’ve done nothing weird lately, just maintaining filter floss, 20% water change bi-monthly. LEDs 9 hrs/day. Ideas?

 

[Arego]

Your problems are going to get a lot worse if you're really running zero no3. You didn't mention phosphate?

 

[emperata]

Your problems are going to get a lot worse if you're really running zero no3. You didn't mention phosphate?

Undetectable PO4 and NO3 may spike to 10 ppm before water change but it‘s pretty stable. I used life rock and l have hated it. I’ve been in the hobby for 50 yrs and it’s my first experience with the crap. However, that leads me nowhere for a solution so l blame them -jeff

 

[Arego]

Quite honestly you could be experiencing further maturing of your system. Is it undetectable now that this algae is present and it normally runs around 10ppm?

Just trying to sort a few details out

 

[emperata]

It’s normally lower. I think it’s a bacterium. Nothing will eat it.