What the heck is this?!

[SJMFW]

This started relatively small. I added a second powerhead to try and get better flow around the rocks and break it up but it just seems to move to wherever is most convenient.

Tangs and Fox face don't seem too interested in it. Hermit crabs dabble but don't spend much time on it. Before I get crazy with the siphon, I'd like to know what it is. It's brownish orange during the day and glows orange at night under the blues.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

General bacterial bloom from cycling?....

 

[vetteguy53081]

This started relatively small. I added a second powerhead to try and get better flow around the rocks and break it up but it just seems to move to wherever is most convenient.

Tangs and Fox face don't seem too interested in it. Hermit crabs dabble but don't spend much time on it. Before I get crazy with the siphon, I'd like to know what it is. It's brownish orange during the day and glows orange at night under the blues.

Looks like cyano bacteria but pics under white lighting will help confirm

 

[SJMFW]

Here are some under direct white light.

 

[Andresnyc93]

How old is the system? I believe it’s cyano as well. Do you keep your system low nutrients or feed live phyto?

 

[SJMFW]

I do a 25% water change with RODI every 7-10 days. I've never seen nitrates over 15-20ppm. Phosphate doesn't read on API test but I suspect it's above. 01. I keep carbon and Phosguard in my filtration.

I feed regular frozen foods (mysis, brine, spirulina, plankton) daily. Once or twice a week I'll toss a couple pinches of pellets in.

Also this system is about 10 months old.

 

[Rmckoy]

Looks like sponge .
but hard to tell from

 

[Rmckoy]

Have you tried touching it ?
Does it come off the rocks easy with flow from a turkey baster or wave maker ?

 

[ryshark]

Looks like sponge .
but hard to tell from

That’s what I first thought too, sponge. Does is blow away with a baster or not?

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I’d invest in better test kits. Protect your investment