White fuzz on live rock

[Boomer]

The stuff that aZhu are sponges but not Pineapple sponges but more than likely one of the Clathrina.

The MB test is just to see if it is a fungus. And yes it will kill fungus. Although treating a tank with MB will not really hurt anything it many upset the bio-filter big time, some thing you do not want. MB also kills may forms of bacteria, especially nitrifying bacteria. You DO NOT want to be treating a reef tank with MB. The best course of action it to reomve it as best you can.

[aZhu]

Originally posted by HighlandReefer
aZhu,


To Reef Central


I am enjoying your sharp, focused photos.

Thanks! I'm a photographer by profession actually. Actually, more like getting into the profession. Still a noob but you can check out some of my stuff at www.azhuphotography.com

[HighlandReefer]

What kind of camera and lens did you use for the above shots?

I have a D-40 on my list. The price is right for the quality from what I can gather.

[Boomer]

aZhu

I love your stream shots and pebble boulder shots That second one, the Sandstone intermittent channel stream, is that from GNP or ZNP in the USA ?

[HighlandReefer]

Boomer, you never cease to amaze me with your knowledge about this hobby and its outer parameters.

I would have figured after 40 years in the salt water hobby, you would have a completely automated system which would require no maintenance.

[aZhu]

Originally posted by HighlandReefer
What kind of camera and lens did you use for the above shots?

I have a D-40 on my list. The price is right for the quality from what I can gather.

All my pictures are taken with a Canon 30D SLR and for those above shots, I used the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro. I normally use a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L.

I heard a lot of Ritz Camera stores are closing down so if there is one near you, see if they have something on sale for you. In terms of price, I'd say spend most of your money on high quality lenses vs. a super nice body because camera bodies change all the time but good lenses last forever.

[HighlandReefer]

The good lens that let the most light through, cost more then the D-40 in many cases.

[aZhu]

Originally posted by Boomer
aZhu

I love your stream shots and pebble boulder shots That second one, the Sandstone intermittent channel stream, is that from GNP or ZNP in the USA ?

A lot of those pictures on my site are either from the Eastern Sierras or Big Sur in California. I'm actually getting into this profession so I haven't traveled too much yet. What I really want to do is go SCUBA diving and take pics in the ocean.

Back to the main thread subject: Sometimes when I maintain my tank and have my hand in there moving rocks or what not, I would find small little crystaline pricks on my skin. Is that from the sponges? They look like tiny toothpicks and it freakin hurts sometimes. Small splinters.

[HighlandReefer]

I am not sure. You have to be careful if you have bristle worms, as they have hairs that contain poisonous substances, that will either irritate or cause allergic reaction in many hobbyists. These worms can be very small and grow quite large. They are common hitch hikers on live rock.

Possibly calcium carbonate crystals on your rock (containing some metals) could stick into you also.

[Boomer]

It is automated Cliff I no longer have tanks

[mtb888]

those little pineapple sponges I just siphened out and they really havnt come back.

[mtb888]

I guess I will try an AlgaeFix dosing. I talked to Cargi who was also having this problem and he said it cleared his up with no ill affects on his livestock.

[HighlandReefer]

Not that I am personally opposed to using AlgaeFix Marine. I have been using it myself for quite some time. There have been a few cases of hobbyists who have reported negative results with their coral and shrimp. Whether the AlgaeFix was the cause, I am not certain. I would proceed with caution and follow the label.

[Boomer]

Ok

You have to be careful if you have bristle worms

because I just have to despell this myth that just seem to be everywhere. Almost all worms in any reef tank are bristleworms, i.e., Feather duster worms, Spaghetti worms are all bristleworms also. But yes, I know what many incorrectly call are "only" brislte worms, such as fireworms and other similar worms that "crawl" and have bristles. Look at it this way Cliif. A drone ant is an insect, so is a bee or mayfly an insect. Thus, all that fly are insects or at some time in their life cycle can fly. But a Silverfish is always wingless and can never fly. So, should we say it is not an insect becuse it has no wings and can not fly ? Should we also call a worker ant not an insect, becasue it never has wings either and can't fly ? So, the male is an insect but not the female ?

[HighlandReefer]

Boomer,

Thanks for the education in the taxonomy of the class Polychaeta which happen to belong to the phylum of Annelida which are commonly referred to as the segmented worms.

[HighlandReefer]

Why is it that many hobbyists look at me funny when I use the proper nomenclature for some of our reef inhabitants.

[HighlandReefer]

Here are some pictures of some marine segmented worms that may be able to sting you:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...s&um=1&ie=UTF-

[mtb888]

I guess I will try half the recommended dose and see what happens. Does that sound like a good starting point? I did this when my fish got velvet with copper and they cleared up nicely with only half the recommended dose.

[Boomer]

Cliff

Why is it that many hobbyists look at me funny when I use the proper nomenclature for some of our reef inhabitants

Hear I'm mostly chemistry but on other forums I'm noted for both chemistry and taxonomy. I always get those funny looks also I was trained in taxonomy and not chemistry

[HighlandReefer]

Boomer,

When I first started in pest control I had customers who called me about waterbugs in there house. At first I would correct them and tell them they have an infestation of oriental cockroaches. After the remarks I received over several years, I then corrected them and stated that they have a Periplaneta americana infestation. The looks did not stop. I now agree with them and tell them they have a waterbug infestation.

[HighlandReefer]

Originally posted by mtb888
I guess I will try half the recommended dose and see what happens. Does that sound like a good starting point? I did this when my fish got velvet with copper and they cleared up nicely with only half the recommended dose.

I don't know if that is a good idea or not. For one thing the manufacturer has reduced the concentration of the active ingredient well below the recommendations that are used in products to kill these type of pest in other applications. They have a good reason for this. They want to reduce the concentration to the minimum that is effective. That said, it is very likely that it may not be effective at half the strength.

[650-IS350]

old thread revival. SO has there been a proof of cure besides Algae Fix?

[HighlandReefer]

We have had several other posts regarding a white type of algae. Who knows if they are all the same specie though. AF works in some cases and not others. This white algae seems to be difficult to control in most cases, even when the water parameters are very good with undetectable nitrate and phosphate. Reducing dissolved organics by reduced feeding, running GAC & GFO while scrubbing it out constantly may be the best bet if AF does not work. Reducing light intensity seems to help especially if you run 10,000 K bulbs which are more conducive to algae growth than the higher wavelengths like 20,000 K.

[650-IS350]

Yea, I think I noticed it when I took off my phosban reactor.... a couple weeks later noticed my whole tank was full of white smoke or dust.. figured it was a bacterial bloom. Do you know what dosages folks were using? I have a 37 gal tank.

[karsseboom]

i bet its a sponge....a white sponge