Live Rock Red Slime Algae?

nyknicks4412 · 02/07/2012, 12:31 AM

So I just got this live rock to start my 10 gallon nano. Been cycling for 3 days now and parameters look decent with just .25 ppm of ammonia. Everything else is perfect. I am just really worried about the rock I received. Here are some pictures. Does this look like red slime algae? I really want to start with a clean tank free of pests and algae and am kind of regretting purchasing live rock. I am wondering if I should have gone with base rock and seeded with a small piece of live rock.

Rock was pulled from the sump of a very established tank from a reputable local with multiple frag tanks and display tanks. Rock had numerous star fish on them upon first inspection and seemed to be covered in Coraline upon purchase. Now after closer inspection I am wondering if my lack of experience got the best of me and the rock isn't as good as I thought.

TimeConsumer · 02/07/2012, 12:50 AM

It could be cyano or it could be coralline. Touch it. Is it slimy? Can you remove it? If so, you probably have cyano.

If it is, don't worry. New tanks always go through a cycle of algaes. First diatoms, then film algae, then a touch of cyano, possibly followed by dinos (blah). Keep up with your waterchanges, don't overfeed and it will all pass.

Mike_Noren · 02/07/2012, 05:04 AM

Looks like coralline algae to me. Not all are pink you know.

nyknicks4412 · 02/07/2012, 09:39 AM

Thanks for the responses guys! When I touch it...it feels slimy but that is probably because its under water lol. It is difficult to remove from the rock. I scraped at it and was unable to get really any off.

Putty · 02/07/2012, 09:46 AM

FYI...That heater you have will begin to release the blue diamond pattern into your tank. I have that exact one in my sump. I began to see sparkles floating around. One day I was in the sump and brushed it..a ton came off and blew into the tank where I was netting it out. I took the heater out and used a green brillo type pad at the sink, under water and scrubbed it all off. Came off very easy.

bugs713 · 02/07/2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyknicks4412

Thanks for the responses guys! When I touch it...it feels slimy but that is probably because its under water lol. It is difficult to remove from the rock. I scraped at it and was unable to get really any off.

Cyano on rock should come off rather easily at least IME. I have red coraline on LR and that looks exactly like it, so I'd let it grow if it is.

02/07/2012, 12:31 AM	#1
nyknicks4412 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 199	Live Rock Red Slime Algae? So I just got this live rock to start my 10 gallon nano. Been cycling for 3 days now and parameters look decent with just .25 ppm of ammonia. Everything else is perfect. I am just really worried about the rock I received. Here are some pictures. Does this look like red slime algae? I really want to start with a clean tank free of pests and algae and am kind of regretting purchasing live rock. I am wondering if I should have gone with base rock and seeded with a small piece of live rock. Rock was pulled from the sump of a very established tank from a reputable local with multiple frag tanks and display tanks. Rock had numerous star fish on them upon first inspection and seemed to be covered in Coraline upon purchase. Now after closer inspection I am wondering if my lack of experience got the best of me and the rock isn't as good as I thought.

02/07/2012, 12:50 AM	#2
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	It could be cyano or it could be coralline. Touch it. Is it slimy? Can you remove it? If so, you probably have cyano. If it is, don't worry. New tanks always go through a cycle of algaes. First diatoms, then film algae, then a touch of cyano, possibly followed by dinos (blah). Keep up with your waterchanges, don't overfeed and it will all pass. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

02/07/2012, 05:04 AM	#3
Mike_Noren Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Stockholm Posts: 712	Looks like coralline algae to me. Not all are pink you know. __________________ Acronyms alienate, abbreviations obfuscate. It's nothing personal, I'm cranky at everyone. Dear Reefcentral, please allow users to delete their posts. Current Tank Info: Experimenting with peroxide and vinegar

02/07/2012, 09:39 AM	#4
nyknicks4412 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 199	Thanks for the responses guys! When I touch it...it feels slimy but that is probably because its under water lol. It is difficult to remove from the rock. I scraped at it and was unable to get really any off.

02/07/2012, 09:46 AM	#5
Putty Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 332	FYI...That heater you have will begin to release the blue diamond pattern into your tank. I have that exact one in my sump. I began to see sparkles floating around. One day I was in the sump and brushed it..a ton came off and blew into the tank where I was netting it out. I took the heater out and used a green brillo type pad at the sink, under water and scrubbed it all off. Came off very easy.