What is this stuff

rc8t6353 · Dec 27, 2016

For the past few months I've been getting this beige colored growth on some of my rocks and on the sand. It blows off pretty easy and doesn't seem to annoy any of the corals.
Current parameters are
Nitrate 0 ppm (api)
Phosphate 0.00 (hanna)
Calcium 360
Alk 8.4
I don't have a mag test kit yet. Any help or suggestions ate greatly appreciated. Here's a pic

ebushrow · Dec 27, 2016

Not sure from the photo, but if it is brown and blows around/off easily, I would guess diatoms...depending on the age of your tank and your source water.

rc8t6353 · Dec 27, 2016

I'll try to get a better picture. I'm pretty sure it not diatoms. It kinda has a gooey texture.

ebushrow · Dec 27, 2016

rc8t6353 said:
I'll try to get a better picture. I'm pretty sure it not diatoms. It kinda has a gooey texture.

How old is the tank, do you have a refugium, and what water do you use? Rodi, tap, etc.

rc8t6353 · Dec 27, 2016

Hope this pic helps a bit more.

rc8t6353 · Dec 27, 2016

This tank is about six months old. I had to downsize from a 75 gallon. Only thing new is the sand. I have a small section in my sump for cheato. Wouldn't really call it a refugium. All water used is from a 5 stage Rodi. It always tests at zero tds.

ChiCity · Dec 27, 2016

Some type of cyano

ebushrow · Dec 27, 2016

#reefsquad. #twillard

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 27, 2016

scrub it off, get some more snails. hows your cuc.

twilliard · Dec 27, 2016

Chrysophytes I would bet

rc8t6353 · Dec 27, 2016

Cuc is kinda slacking. Lol. Probably like 6 snails and 5 hermits. I just didn't want to many when I switched over tanks because of the lack of food for them.