Brown stuff growing over live rock?

geckopsu

geckopsu

Member
Any idea what this stuff is that's growing over my live rock? It started as a small brown spot about a month ago and it is spreading pretty quickly as you can see. It's about a 2.5" to 3" spot now. I've been told to peel it off (havn't tried that yet) but still haven't been able to identify it.
The tank has been up for 4 months and has had acceptable parameters (tested with Salifert test kits):
PH 8.1
Temp 79
Salinity 1.023
Nitrites 0
Amonia 0
Nitrates 0
Alk 3.1 / KH 8.6
Calcium 380


Thanks!
 
cgrant

cgrant

Active Member
I would also test for mag and phosphates.
Do you have a fuge? If your phos is up that is prob causing your brown algae issues!
Phos can come from foods also.
Kinda hard to tell from a pic but how is your LR doing? Cant tell if its just the pic or if the LR is turning white?
Are you using any buffers?
 
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allenk

Guest
For the sake of clarification, is the growth on the rocks something that can be blown off with a turkey baster; or is it more of a leafy film that encrusts on the rock and can be peeled off in thin partially translucent sheets?
 
geckopsu

geckopsu

Member
Wow, sorry it's been so long since I've checked this post.
allenk - No, I can't blow it off with a turkey baster. It looks like I should be able to peel it off because you can see a lighter edge that seems to be lifted from the rock surface I tried peeling it off with the edge of a knife but no luck, I can only scrape it off (along with some rock).
WHO DEY - I am not using biowheel filtration, just a filter bag (no carbon) for solid waste and a protein skimmer. I'll look into "cyanobacteria". It does appear in areas where there could be a lack of water movement. Thanks for the tip.
CGRANT - The live rock is actually starting to turn purple and the white is disappearing. This shot was taken when the tank was only 4 months old and the live rock was pretty clean. My phosphates are 0 and have been for about 2 months now. I have not tested for magnesium. -- good tip
The cr@p is still growing!
 
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allenk

Guest
The reason I asked the question is because people were identifying it as Cyano. I have this same type of thing in my tank and it appears to be some sort of encrusting algae. Sometimes I can peel off a piece of it. Other times, it is so tight to the rock that I have to scrape. When I get a piece out and look at it, it has the consistency of a leaf, with a brownish translucent consistency to it. Is this what yours is like?
If so, I can't honestly say I know exactly what it is. I was hoping by further clarifying the characteristics of the infestation, some of the brainiacs here would be able to better identify it.
 
geckopsu

geckopsu

Member
Sounds like the same thing (when I am able to peel it off).
I've been looking up Cyanobacteria and it doesn't seem to be describing what I have.
I have been using RODI water from the moment the aquarium has been set up, I do 30% water changes every month, my parameters have been good and consistant, no amonia, nitrites, nitrates, or phosphates.
If it continues to grow at this pace, my entire 90 lbs. of live rock will be brown and slimy.
HELP!
 
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allenk

Guest
I would also second the notion that it does not necessarily grow in areas of low flow. I think I could put a power head right on the point of growth and it would be unaffected.
My solution has been to scrape it off every once in awhile, but it sure would be nice to get rid of it. I would assume that the same issues involved with other algae would apply here: phosphates, silica, nitrates, excess lighting, etc. I use RO/DI water, barely feed at all, have a cleanup crew, have a protein skimmer; it seems like I am doing all the things necessary to prevent this type of growth, yet there it is. I have a phosphate test kit coming in the next few days. I am anxious to see what the results are.
Anyone have any other ideas or identification of this apparent encrusting type of algae?
 
geckopsu

geckopsu

Member
Originally Posted by allenk
I would also second the notion that it does not necessarily grow in areas of low flow. I think I could put a power head right on the point of growth and it would be unaffected.
My solution has been to scrape it off every once in awhile, but it sure would be nice to get rid of it. I would assume that the same issues involved with other algae would apply here: phosphates, silica, nitrates, excess lighting, etc. I use RO/DI water, barely feed at all, have a cleanup crew, have a protein skimmer; it seems like I am doing all the things necessary to prevent this type of growth, yet there it is. I have a phosphate test kit coming in the next few days. I am anxious to see what the results are.
Anyone have any other ideas or identification of this apparent encrusting type of algae?
I just got back from the LFS and they knew exacly what it was and showed me a picture of it in a book. I wish I could remember the name of the algea, I'll ask again tomorrow when I pick up the cure. They said they have seen it once before in a tank they maintain at a nearby University. They said specifically Naso Tangs and/or Spiny Urchines will take care of it. I'm going to try the spiny sea urchine since I already have a Yellow Tang and Hippo Tang in my tank. I'll let you know what happens to the wierd algea.
 
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