What happened to my live rock?

Frozenguy · 01/25/2015, 03:27 AM

I have had live rock curing in a couple 20 gal tanks for about 10 days now.

I put it all into my main 80 gallon tank along with two different bags of live sand. Nature's Ocean and Ocean Direct. I did NOT use the bio magnet clarifier included with Ocean Direct.

When I transferred the rock, it looked the same as the day I put it in. Rocky with green pink and red colors.

Now over night as my water cleared, the rocks are left covered in either a powdery silt or some type of growth or both.

Before:

After (over night):

A sea K · 01/25/2015, 04:49 AM

If it looks like powdery silt I would guess you added sand as well and the insueing dust storm settled out overnight leaving a dusted appearance?

Frozenguy · 01/25/2015, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A sea K

If it looks like powdery silt I would guess you added sand as well and the insueing dust storm settled out overnight leaving a dusted appearance?

Ok yeah I hope it's just a powdery silt. I did add sand. Well sand was the first thing I added, then some water and then rock then more water.

Thanks for the response!

Frozenguy · 01/25/2015, 06:27 AM

Upon closer inspection, visual and tactile, it appears to be an algae that has collected a ton of dust. Will this have an effect on the colors?

My cycling parameters are 0 ammonia, 1 ppm nitrites, and 5 ppm nitrates.

Once the nitrites hit 0 I can add my CUC right?

I'll be drilling some rock pieces to use with pvc so i need to do that before getting the CUC anyways.

aponok · 01/25/2015, 07:04 AM

It may be diatomic algae. It looks like a cycling tank, addition of live rock, and possibly silicates introduced from sand may be the contributing factors. The link below offers a deeper explanation.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/alg...a/aa091100.htm

alf1096 · 01/25/2015, 08:06 AM

I would say part of the cycle. I would not worry.

01/25/2015, 03:27 AM	#1
Frozenguy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 226	What happened to my live rock? I have had live rock curing in a couple 20 gal tanks for about 10 days now. I put it all into my main 80 gallon tank along with two different bags of live sand. Nature's Ocean and Ocean Direct. I did NOT use the bio magnet clarifier included with Ocean Direct. When I transferred the rock, it looked the same as the day I put it in. Rocky with green pink and red colors. Now over night as my water cleared, the rocks are left covered in either a powdery silt or some type of growth or both. Before: After (over night):

01/25/2015, 04:49 AM	#2
A sea K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Branford Fl Posts: 3,024	If it looks like powdery silt I would guess you added sand as well and the insueing dust storm settled out overnight leaving a dusted appearance? __________________ I am not a pro so excuse me if I'm wrong. Current Tank Info: 30gal Deep Blue rimless 9/10/2014, 80gal Deep Blue rimless 40gal sump/refugium 9/11/16 LPS reef, 2 x Kessil A160 with a single Maxspect Razor, RO Prime 150INT skimmer, Sicce 3 return pump, Vortech MP40 and MP10

01/25/2015, 07:04 AM	#5
aponok Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 27	It may be diatomic algae. It looks like a cycling tank, addition of live rock, and possibly silicates introduced from sand may be the contributing factors. The link below offers a deeper explanation. http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/alg...a/aa091100.htm __________________ If someone offers you a breath mint, you should accept it. Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Hex

01/25/2015, 08:06 AM	#6
alf1096 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 399	I would say part of the cycle. I would not worry. __________________ 125 gal DT with 30 Sump, ReefBreeders LEDs, Mixed Reef

01/25/2015, 06:27 AM	#4
Frozenguy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 226	Upon closer inspection, visual and tactile, it appears to be an algae that has collected a ton of dust. Will this have an effect on the colors? My cycling parameters are 0 ammonia, 1 ppm nitrites, and 5 ppm nitrates. Once the nitrites hit 0 I can add my CUC right? I'll be drilling some rock pieces to use with pvc so i need to do that before getting the CUC anyways.