White substance over rocks when cycling live rock?

[Trueg115]

So I am not new to the hobby, about 12 years ago I maintained 3 tanks, but recently decided to get back into it. I started up a 25 gallon this week, and added new live rock about 2 days ago. It started off well, but now a white film has grown over a good portion of the rock that I haven't seen before. I have researched on it and have not found too much. Does anyone have any ideas? Is this normal? Pics Included. I've been told it may be a sponge, but if that is so, is it more beneficial to get it off the rocks so the corraline can grow?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Is it just on the rock in this picture?

 

[Trueg115]

it is on most of the live rock I have, to some degree or another, right now I have gotten a good bit of it off, but it is only on the pieces of live rock, not on the dry rock I added.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If it blows off pretty easily, im going to assume is a bacteria. It likely feeding on dieoff from the live rock.

Are you adding a bottled bacteria? How did you start up the cycle.

At first look it really appeared to be sponge. That'll be firm and not blow off.

 

[Trueg115]

It is definitely easy to blow off, and I am hoping it is just bacteria that will go away once the die off is gone. Here are a few shots after I have blown it off. The first pic is the same rock as above, just after agitating it. And as for the cycle, I am starting with just live rock for this cycle. 20 lbs live and 10 dry

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yup. It should. If your adding bottled bacteria clearly you can stop.

 

[Trueg115]

Yup. It should. If your adding bottled bacteria clearly you can stop.

Thanks for the help salty. You have definitely helped to ease my conscience since someone else suggested that it may be bacteria as well, as I do not want a sponge all over my rock to deal with. I edited the post but you may not have seen it, but I have seeded with live rock alone, 20 live and 10 dry

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yea no worries. We're it a sponge, I'd say it was ok too. Sponges and diatoms like the same thing. Slilicates. I'd go sponge any day.
This silicate are pretty common in the dry rock.