ID please? White fuzz growth on live rock

[Joeb1983]

I started a thread a few months back asking if this was a bacterial bloom, but I still have this growth on my live rock and cant figure out exactly what it is and its been bothering me.

I started running carbon and GFO again, added another mp10 and it subsided some then came back.

It only grows on the rocks and NOWHERE else...

Params are good, tank is over a year old. (I have 5 tanks) Regular water changes. RODI/Red Sea Coral Pro.

Let me know if you have a clue. Id like to know.

[cloak]

It looks like either a fungus or perhaps a bacterial mat to me.

http://chucksaddiction.thefishestate.net/ (Info Links > Hitch Hikers > Algae)

[Joeb1983]

Cloak you actually responded to my older thread. I am still trying to figure this thing out.

At first I thought it was a bacterial mat per the reading, but I cant seem to find much info on treatment.

As far as fungus, I've came across this:

" Live marine fungus typically consists of a mass of threadlike filaments called hyphae that grow together in clumps to form mats.

Certain types of fungus grow downward into the organic matter on which they are feeding, acting much like the roots of live plants.

Other types of fungus grow outward, spreading in the form of fluffy growths. As the fungus grows and spreads, sporangia will form on the tips of the filaments – these sporangia contain spores which will be released into the tank water when the sporangia mature and rupture.

Fungus feeds on all kinds of organic matter – fish waste is one the most common foods that they ingest, along with uneaten fish food."


I've been trying to find a remedy for this, but most treatments are for fish with fungal infections.

Other than keeping water quality up anything else I could do? Like I said I am running carbon /GFO again, wetter skim, UV, along with weekly 10% water changes.

[rovster]

Are you carbon dosing?

[Joeb1983]

Originally Posted by rovster

Are you carbon dosing?

^ No carbon dosing on this tank. Never have nor never had a problem with nitrates.

This is one of the "cleaner" tanks of the bunch.

[Komfortable]

I'm having the same issue. I'll be following aling, for sure.

It doesn't seem to be affecting anything, but it sure is an eye-sore!

[skp]

Originally Posted by Joeb1983

I started a thread a few months back asking if this was a bacterial bloom, but I still have this growth on my live rock and cant figure out exactly what it is and its been bothering me.

I started running carbon and GFO again, added another mp10 and it subsided some then came back.

It only grows on the rocks and NOWHERE else...

Params are good, tank is over a year old. (I have 5 tanks) Regular water changes. RODI/Red Sea Coral Pro.

Let me know if you have a clue. Id like to know.

I have this stuff too although it is just a tiny patch it doesn't seem to be going away and nothing eats it. I only have it on a lower rock so maybe it likes lower light? I'm going to try increasing my light intensity starting tomorrow.

I started the tank with dead rock, live sand and Microbacter 7 hoping to avoid pests and algae. All my corals are fresh clippings. Whatever it is, it came in with the live sand or salt or was airborne. I'm using dd h2ocean.

[Joeb1983]

I started with dry rock as well. (BRS reef saver)

I have it all over the rock and your right; Nothing eats it. I beefed up my CUC and that didn't do squat.

I'm lost...

[skp]

I think I spoke too soon. I was up really late and was able to look at the tank several hours after it was pitch black and I noticed that my hermit crab was eating it. The crab species is (pylopaguropsis speciosa).

[Joeb1983]

Still have it & it started to effect softies and LPS... Fish are fine and healthy as ever.

I've removed countless frags over the months and all that is left in the tank really is a birds-nest colony along with a clown pair.

I've spent a good amount of time these past few days:

Re-arranged the rock-scape some for easier maintenance and better flow.
Thoroughly brushed all the rocks and RO/DI rinsed
Agitated and cleaned entire sand bed while rocks where out
Vacuumed out sump
Removed skimmer and reactors and cleaned
Replaced UV bulb
Changed reactors media


I went through 4 felt filter socks in the matter of 24 hours, the sand bed is now snow white, the glass and water are crystal clear and the tank looks AMAZING from across the room.

HOWEVER, the white peach fuzz I spent hours scrubbing away off the rock came back overnight...

Like I said, I started w/ BRS reef saver rock so there was never any die off to begin with, nor do I overfeed; to spark the fungus or bacterial outbreak. I even started with dry sand. (CaribSea aragonite, not sandbox sand; lol!)

Again, the tank is well over a year old.

I've never lost any live-stock other than the usual hermit taking out a snail here and there.

I'm about to rip all the rock out and start over. Be a shame considering all the time I've spent with the rock-scape and the color that's on it now...

I am completely lost!

[LJLKRL]

I had the exact same problem. I finally used API AlgaeFix Marine. Cleared it right up. After the fuzz was gone I stopped dosing and it has not come back.
I have a reef tank with LPS corals and a clam.
I had no ill effects from dosing this stuff. Just follow the directions. I think mine was gone in a month.

[Joeb1983]

^ Awesome! Ill pull the birds nest and throw it in my QT tank while I give this stuff a try.

I know PetSmart by me carries a bunch of API stuff, although Im not sure if it the marine version or not, but worth a shot.

If not, Ill order some online.

Blows my mind that NOTHING eats this stuff... No snails, fish or crabs...

Appreciate the reply.

[JMorris271]

Joe
Did your issue start out looking like this?

20151216_121206.jpg

[Joeb1983]

I honestly don't recall... I just started noticing this velvety fuzz starting to appear on the peaks and corners of the live rock.

Much like peach fuzz.

Then it just started to spread like wildfire until it looked like my rock was glowing with a radiative white aura.

Ill see if I can get better pics and post them up.

[LJLKRL]

Originally Posted by Joeb1983

^ Awesome! Ill pull the birds nest and throw it in my QT tank while I give this stuff a try.

I know PetSmart by me carries a bunch of API stuff, although Im not sure if it the marine version or not, but worth a shot.

If not, Ill order some online.

Blows my mind that NOTHING eats this stuff... No snails, fish or crabs...

Appreciate the reply.

I got mine at pet smart. Make sure it says marine. Just follow the directions. I set a reminder in my phone to dose on the schedule it said to use. I was getting pretty disappointed with my tank, but this cleared it up.

[Joeb1983]

Just got a bottle of the API Algaefix Marine. Ill start dosing today and will post my results. Fingers crossed!

[makers marc]

I have almost the exact same thing, but I know mine came from accidental vodka overdosing.

[elescher]

Me too. BRS dry rock. Tank is 6 months old. 250 mixed reef, bare bottom. I have none growing in separate tank (same sump)... Yet. I stopped the biopellets
About a week ago, started with vinegar. I will post photos when I get home.

[muttley101]

Its mulm... lot of zeovit user have the same problem from the carbon dosing.. Try Bio-mate...

[Joeb1983]

Originally Posted by LJLKRL

I had the exact same problem. I finally used API AlgaeFix Marine. Cleared it right up. After the fuzz was gone I stopped dosing and it has not come back.
I have a reef tank with LPS corals and a clam.
I had no ill effects from dosing this stuff. Just follow the directions. I think mine was gone in a month.

IT IS GONE!!! stuff worked just like you said. about half the bottle, dosing per instructions. Thanks!

[LJLKRL]

Originally Posted by Joeb1983

IT IS GONE!!! stuff worked just like you said. about half the bottle, dosing per instructions. Thanks!

Awesome! Glad it worked for you!