Errrrr. looks like algae?

[PGriff]

I'm probably being crazy here but this is my first tank so I'm not sure what these things are. Tank started on March 23 using Dr. Tims. It cycled in about 20 to 25 days. it's just been running on its own till Wed. I put in a Midnight clown and a fire red shrimp. today I noticed this on the rocks. Oh, and I did add some cheato to the sump... don't know if that helps? I just found it odd cause it's only in the one spot?

P.S. If this isn't algae how long does it usually take to grow?

ph 8.0
dKH 11 ish
ammonia and nitrites 0
and as of yesterday nitrates .5 or less

Thanks in advance.

 

[James M]

Looks like the start of green coralline algae. entering the ugly stage

 

[dansreef]

Take a deep breath...and relax. It is nothing to get concerned about. Your tank is so new... you are going to see all sorts of stuff, black, green, red, orange, brown and all of these in combination growing at some point soon in your tank... which is good. Your tank is going to continue to mature and get some really funky stuff growing... it is all good. It is often called the uglies stages... You want your tank to go through these stages as this will be the sign that diversity and microfauna will be increasing too. You will even likely go through a green hair algae stage... again... don't get overly concerned... you can add some snails and other clean up crews to take care of it.

Watch your Nitrates and Phosphates.... too high of levels here will only cause more intense growth. While at the same time, the prevailing thought is zero on either is not good...and limits diversity and microfauna in your tank. Keep your Phosphates below .05 and your Nitrates in the 5 ppm range would be good.

Good Luck! Enjoy your tank maturing.... don't sweat all the little changes and manage your water temp, salinity, PH and nutrients (Nitrates and Phosphates)...and find stability... Stability is key to a great reef tank!

 

[PGriff]

Looks like the start of green coralline algae. entering the ugly stage

The tank is entering an ugly stage or the color of the algae?

 

[PGriff]

Take a deep breath...and relax. It is nothing to get concerned about. Your tank is so new... you are going to see all sorts of stuff, black, green, red, orange, brown and all of these in combination growing at some point soon in your tank... which is good. Your tank is going to continue to mature and get some really funky stuff growing... it is all good. It is often called the uglies stages... You want your tank to go through these stages as this will be the sign that diversity and microfauna will be increasing too. You will even likely go through a green hair algae stage... again... don't get overly concerned... you can add some snails and other clean up crews to take care of it.

Watch your Nitrates and Phosphates.... too high of levels here will only cause more intense growth. While at the same time, the prevailing thought is zero on either is not good...and limits diversity and microfauna in your tank. Keep your Phosphates below .05 and your Nitrates in the 5 ppm range would be good.

Good Luck! Enjoy your tank maturing.... don't sweat all the little changes and manage your water temp, salinity, PH and nutrients (Nitrates and Phosphates)...and find stability... Stability is key to a great reef tank!

Thanks. I knew and was hoping it was algae growing, it just threw me off cause it's like one line on the rock and darker green like phytoplankton?