Name that brown stringy stuff!

habs247 · 08/03/2012, 09:01 PM

I turn to you for help!

Tank is about eight weeks old. Regular weekly water changes. Using RO/DI water.

Started getting diatoms about a week ago. Seems relatively common and a normal part of the cycle.

What I am confused about however are these stringy brown things on my rock, and tank glass. They don't look snot like, and I am at a bit of a loss.

Is this some sort of brown algae which is a normal part of the cycle, or am I dealing with some kind of infestation here?

Any help that you can provide would be much appreciated.

habs247 · 08/03/2012, 09:09 PM

I should add: running GFO, MB7 dosing once a week, a reasonably good powered skimmer. No chaeto as I don't have a refugium. I also started with almost all base (marco) rock. Only two small clowns in this 100g setup as far as bio load.

Nitrates and Phosphates are testing near zero. SG 1.025. At a loss here!

Your help would be welcomed!

Michigan Mike · 08/03/2012, 09:12 PM

Iremember getting a couple things that looked like hat maybe...but they went away.
If your tank is cycled ( having no ammonia and nitrate ) get a small cuc. A couple mini brittle stars and a handful of snails, let them work on those pesky things that pop up the first couple months.

Edit ....oops I see you have clowns, must have missed that

habs247 · 08/03/2012, 09:16 PM

Thanks Mike,
What concerns me is that this seems to have spread throughout all my rocks. It also hangs on the back wall of the tank. If it's normal, I'm not too worried. But if it's some thing I should deal with I like to get on it right away. That, or give up… JK.

Mavrk · 08/03/2012, 09:44 PM

Kind of hard to tell from the picture, but I am going to suggest you do a search for dinoflagellates and see if it matches.

habs247 · 08/03/2012, 09:56 PM

Thank you. I did a search for dino. I suppose it could be that, however the stringy stuff in my tank does not appear to be snot like - it's thinner and more hair like. I sure hope it's not dino as it'll be a nightmare to get rid of.

The rocks appear to be browner as well. Before this breakout I was starting to see signs of coralline appearing but I guess that's over (for now!).

Michigan Mike · 08/04/2012, 03:50 AM

If it's hairy , I do remember getting stuff like that with diatoms on my glass. Ya i got a tiny cyno outbreak in a couple spots too, no biggie tank looks good as ever now.
Stay positive! There are always a couple things we fret about when we start but most of them come and go. When you start adding corals make sure you dip them and save yourself a huge possible infestation of something that doesn't go away...lol

Dustin1300 · 08/04/2012, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

Iremember getting a couple things that looked like hat maybe...but they went away.
If your tank is cycled ( having no ammonia and nitrate ) get a small cuc. A couple mini brittle stars and a handful of snails, let them work on those pesky things that pop up the first couple months.

Edit ....oops I see you have clowns, must have missed that

Think he meant ammonia and nitrite. Nitrate can be present and is tolerated by fish/inverts to certain levels.

Michael · 08/04/2012, 12:11 PM

very likey Dinos, too much feeding and poor water quality is the cause, have a month where you change water regulary wirth nutrient free quality, and reduce feeding by 50%, also change your bulbs and don't have them running too long, 5-6 hours is enough for most basic aquaria, also stop dosing anything, this won't help, a back to basics I'm afraid, it will be the only way to get things under control.

Mike

habs247 · 08/04/2012, 03:51 PM

Thanks everyone.

Dinos it is. That is what I find strange, however. I've been doing regular 25% a week water changes, nitrates and phosphates show zero readings. My lights may indeed be a contributing problem, however, they are LEDs (illumina) so I'm not sure if it's the spectrum issue or not.

I'm guessing the fact that I went with hundred percent Marco rock is a a solid contributor factor. The tank is about 10 weeks old.

So after doing quite bit of reading last night and today I am considering the following plan of attack on the dinos:

- Lights out for three days, then cut back normal photoperiod to 6 hours a day
- continue GFO, add GAC - changed out every two weeks on alternate weeks
- wet skim
- wait

The reading I did last night suggested that a reduction in water changes would help to lower the fuel for the dinos. I know it's counterproductive from what we know is good husbandry, however.

Any thoughts on this plan?

Mavrk · 08/04/2012, 05:32 PM

One thought is that you don't need light at this point so you could go longer without light. Are there any measurable TDS in your RO/DI water? How old are your RO/DI filters? What brand and type?

KritikaL · 06/28/2014, 02:27 PM

did u fix this? have the same stuff! :S this prat saying water quality... derp.

08/03/2012, 09:01 PM	#1
habs247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 18	Name that brown stringy stuff! I turn to you for help! Tank is about eight weeks old. Regular weekly water changes. Using RO/DI water. Started getting diatoms about a week ago. Seems relatively common and a normal part of the cycle. What I am confused about however are these stringy brown things on my rock, and tank glass. They don't look snot like, and I am at a bit of a loss. Is this some sort of brown algae which is a normal part of the cycle, or am I dealing with some kind of infestation here? Any help that you can provide would be much appreciated.

08/04/2012, 12:11 PM	#9
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	very likey Dinos, too much feeding and poor water quality is the cause, have a month where you change water regulary wirth nutrient free quality, and reduce feeding by 50%, also change your bulbs and don't have them running too long, 5-6 hours is enough for most basic aquaria, also stop dosing anything, this won't help, a back to basics I'm afraid, it will be the only way to get things under control. Mike __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

08/03/2012, 09:09 PM	#2
habs247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 18	I should add: running GFO, MB7 dosing once a week, a reasonably good powered skimmer. No chaeto as I don't have a refugium. I also started with almost all base (marco) rock. Only two small clowns in this 100g setup as far as bio load. Nitrates and Phosphates are testing near zero. SG 1.025. At a loss here! Your help would be welcomed!

08/03/2012, 09:12 PM	#3
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	Iremember getting a couple things that looked like hat maybe...but they went away. If your tank is cycled ( having no ammonia and nitrate ) get a small cuc. A couple mini brittle stars and a handful of snails, let them work on those pesky things that pop up the first couple months. Edit ....oops I see you have clowns, must have missed that

08/03/2012, 09:16 PM	#4
habs247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 18	Thanks Mike, What concerns me is that this seems to have spread throughout all my rocks. It also hangs on the back wall of the tank. If it's normal, I'm not too worried. But if it's some thing I should deal with I like to get on it right away. That, or give up… JK.

08/03/2012, 09:44 PM	#5
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	Kind of hard to tell from the picture, but I am going to suggest you do a search for dinoflagellates and see if it matches.

08/03/2012, 09:56 PM	#6
habs247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 18	Thank you. I did a search for dino. I suppose it could be that, however the stringy stuff in my tank does not appear to be snot like - it's thinner and more hair like. I sure hope it's not dino as it'll be a nightmare to get rid of. The rocks appear to be browner as well. Before this breakout I was starting to see signs of coralline appearing but I guess that's over (for now!).

08/04/2012, 03:50 AM	#7
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	If it's hairy , I do remember getting stuff like that with diatoms on my glass. Ya i got a tiny cyno outbreak in a couple spots too, no biggie tank looks good as ever now. Stay positive! There are always a couple things we fret about when we start but most of them come and go. When you start adding corals make sure you dip them and save yourself a huge possible infestation of something that doesn't go away...lol

08/04/2012, 03:51 PM	#10
habs247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 18	Thanks everyone. Dinos it is. That is what I find strange, however. I've been doing regular 25% a week water changes, nitrates and phosphates show zero readings. My lights may indeed be a contributing problem, however, they are LEDs (illumina) so I'm not sure if it's the spectrum issue or not. I'm guessing the fact that I went with hundred percent Marco rock is a a solid contributor factor. The tank is about 10 weeks old. So after doing quite bit of reading last night and today I am considering the following plan of attack on the dinos: - Lights out for three days, then cut back normal photoperiod to 6 hours a day - continue GFO, add GAC - changed out every two weeks on alternate weeks - wet skim - wait The reading I did last night suggested that a reduction in water changes would help to lower the fuel for the dinos. I know it's counterproductive from what we know is good husbandry, however. Any thoughts on this plan?

08/04/2012, 05:32 PM	#11
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	One thought is that you don't need light at this point so you could go longer without light. Are there any measurable TDS in your RO/DI water? How old are your RO/DI filters? What brand and type?

06/28/2014, 02:27 PM	#12
KritikaL Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 104	did u fix this? have the same stuff! :S this prat saying water quality... derp.