What's this Green Stuff?

DominicGates · Oct 31, 2016

I posted yesterday about a small piece of live rock that my girlfriend got from a coworker. We added it to our newly cycling tank because we previously were onlyusing dry rock. I think we identified most of the hitch hikers yesterday including Aiptasia (I know its not good in reef aquariums but we are doing FOWLR and are not too concerned at this point), Asterina Stars, Bristleworms, Bristle Stars, Limpets, and Tube worms. The only thing I can't figure out is, what is this green stuff (bottom left of rock)?

Also if you see anything else in this photo that I didn't mention, feel free to let me know.
We are thinking that most of the stuff wont survive the cycling of the tank except the Aiptasia but it's still cool to see all the stuff moving around since we don't have fish and won't for a while.

For reference, we are only about 5 days into cycling the tank.

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 31, 2016

looks like chato a macro algae.
And you do want to kill that aiptasia. Its a stinging anemone. it stings fish. and will still take over even a fowler tank.

a lot should actually survive the cycling really. werd but true

Maritimer · Oct 31, 2016

Chaetomorpha is an algae that grows well without being rooted or attached to anything. It's often used in refugia to grow copepods and remove nitrate and phosphate from the system.

Interestingly, I have what appears to be the same rose-pink sponge growing in my sump - on my Chaetomorpha!

~Bruce

DominicGates · Oct 31, 2016

Maritimer said:
Chaetomorpha is an algae that grows well without being rooted or attached to anything. It's often used in refugia to grow copepods and remove nitrate and phosphate from the system.

Interestingly, I have what appears to be the same rose-pink sponge growing in my sump - on my Chaetomorpha!

~Bruce

It's really kinda pretty! Most to all sponges are a good addition to biological group is that correct? Do you think the chateo will last? I'm sure that they're beneficial as far as removing nitrates, but as soon as I introduce fish will it will probably serve as a snack?

TheEngineer · Oct 31, 2016

Agree. Chaeto. Tangs like to eat it and it should survive your cycle. The stuff is fairly bullet proof unless you have a zero nutrient system. Then it will wither away.

Definitely get the aiptasia now. My tank is now overrun with them and they're a royal pain to eliminate once they get entrenched.

Maritimer · Oct 31, 2016

DominicGates said:
It's really kinda pretty! Most to all sponges are a good addition to biological group is that correct? Do you think the chateo will last? I'm sure that they're beneficial as far as removing nitrates, but as soon as I introduce fish will it will probably serve as a snack?

It depends on which fish you add. Some, such as tangs and rabbitfish, will likely snack on the chaeto. Others, such as dwarf angelfish, may well snack on the sponge. In the ocean, everything gets eaten by something else . . . That's why many reefers use refugiums - to grow things that won't last long in the display, but can be beneficial or amusing to have around.

~Bruce

DominicGates · Oct 31, 2016

Maritimer said:
It depends on which fish you add. Some, such as tangs and rabbitfish, will likely snack on the chaeto. Others, such as dwarf angelfish, may well snack on the sponge. In the ocean, everything gets eaten by something else . . . That's why many reefers use refugiums - to grow things that won't last long in the display, but can be beneficial or amusing to have around.

~Bruce

Here's a link to my hopefull Stocking list do you think if I invest in a refugium these fish would benefit? Also I have one more picture for identification! These are little purple guys? Maybe a sponge? Or algae? Thanks for all your help!

DominicGates · Nov 1, 2016

It sounds like a refugium no matter what is a good idea even if the fish I want don't nessicarily want to feed on copepods. Do you think this refugium would work well if I add a light?
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Finnex-Hang-O...Large-with-Powerhead-/161886952910?nav=SEARCH

Sm51498 · Nov 1, 2016

Your purple guys look like sponges but also could be foramiferans if they are hard.

Maritimer · Nov 1, 2016

DominicGates said:
Here's a link to my hopefull Stocking list do you think if I invest in a refugium these fish would benefit? Also I have one more picture for identification! These are little purple guys? Maybe a sponge? Or algae? Thanks for all your help!

I'm sure it would help, even though it's not gigantic. Not sure about the resistance of that plastic to heat, so go carefully - lighting can be hot enough to warp or even melt some plastics. (Had that happen years ago with a 55-gallon tank's center brace. Tank was always bowed after that . . . )

I've got this one: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/large...-refugium-with-led-lighting-cpr-aquatics.html , which includes a LED light bar. (I had to buy the light bar separately - those are pretty new!) I've also got a 'fuge in my sump. It can be interesting to grab a magnifying glass and "dive" down there to check out what's going on in that macro world! (Lately, it seems to be all amphipods, all the time . . . and Stomatella snails, which I suspect something in my display eats, as I rarely see them there.)

As for your purple hitchhikers, they're beyond me, though they don't look like sponge or algae to me - but perhaps @Lionfish Lair can help. She's amazing with hitchers like those!

Lionfish Lair · Nov 1, 2016

Ohhhhh..... I don't know.

I agree that it's probably not a sponge or algae. It seems to have a center mouth and I predict it is retracted with a base of sorts. Can you grab a few more pictures? Maybe it'll look different at different times in the day, like when you first turn on the lights. Most interesting.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 1, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
Ohhhhh..... I don't know.

I agree that it's probably not a sponge or algae. It seems to have a center mouth and I predict it is retracted with a base of sorts. Can you grab a few more pictures? Maybe it'll look different at different times in the day, like when you first turn on the lights. Most interesting.

looks like coral.
So much for the fowler.

DominicGates · Nov 1, 2016

Thanks guys! @Maritimer that fuge might be a little out of my price range but it definitely bigger than the one I w as s looking at. I think I will try the smaller one and upgrade later.

Here are some better pictures of my purple guys.