I have dry rock with something growing on it. Please help identify

[kendrid]

I have a 30g rimless which I just setup this past Sunday. I added 20lbs of live sand and 15 pounds of rock from reefcleaners. We washed and scrubbed the rock before putting it in the tank.

The live sand is definitely alive. I've spotted a few small worms already.

Just today I noticed this on the rock. I do not run lights on this tank yet and it is in my basement. The only light it gets is from my 90g discus tank which is 15' away.

Should I pull the rock and remove this? I've lurked a long time here and I know to not touch anything until I know what it is.



Thanks!

[oscarinw]

Any movement on the thing? Does it react to light?
It appears to be some sort of an filamentous algae from here, but can't be certain...

[kendrid]

Originally Posted by oscarinw

Any movement on the thing? Does it react to light?
It appears to be some sort of an filamentous algae from here, but can't be certain...

I went into my dark basement and shined a powerful LED flashlight on it. It didn't move and over the course of a few minutes it didn't move. I guess it's the start of algae then?

There are diatoms on the bottom of a couple of the rocks already. I have done nothing but add the live sand. On Friday I planned on picking up 10 lbs of live rock. At this rate my tank will be cycling by then.