White deposits on LR

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hiClouds

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Hey all. I've had my first saltwater/reef tank cycling for about a month now. The live rock i seeded the tank with was and still is covered in what appears to be white pebbles. I know they aren't hitchhikers or eggs of any sort. Calcium deposits perhaps? Let me know what you think. I'm attaching an image.

16252092588257099647554767292185.jpg
 
Hard to see on screen but may very well be what is known as dictyota which is an algae that has forked branches which may have an iridescent blue hue. Some species of Dictyota are desirable, you will be able to recognize them as they grow as one plant that branches out from one distinct holdfast. Removal should be very simple. Nuisance species of Dictyota, (pretty much all the iridescent species.) stay shorter and creep along the rock. Their branches form straight from the rock, and there is no trunk like feature to the algae, or easily discernible holdfast. For removal, only larger established patches are difficult to remove, treat incoming live rock with it in the dark, or in a separate tank before adding it to the display. If it does make it in your display don't allow it to spread, it is easy to control if it stays managed early on. Take a dental pick and scrape off every inch of holdfast you can.
Cleaners such as emerald Crabs, Turbo snails, Chitons, Limpets, certain tangs, and Urchins will eat it.
 
Hard to see on screen but may very well be what is known as dictyota which is an algae that has forked branches which may have an iridescent blue hue. Some species of Dictyota are desirable, you will be able to recognize them as they grow as one plant that branches out from one distinct holdfast. Removal should be very simple. Nuisance species of Dictyota, (pretty much all the iridescent species.) stay shorter and creep along the rock. Their branches form straight from the rock, and there is no trunk like feature to the algae, or easily discernible holdfast. For removal, only larger established patches are difficult to remove, treat incoming live rock with it in the dark, or in a separate tank before adding it to the display. If it does make it in your display don't allow it to spread, it is easy to control if it stays managed early on. Take a dental pick and scrape off every inch of holdfast you can.
Cleaners such as emerald Crabs, Turbo snails, Chitons, Limpets, certain tangs, and Urchins will eat it.
I might try scraping this off if I notice it spreading but it is certainly granule and not branching.
 
I might try scraping this off if I notice it spreading but it is certainly granule and not branching.
yes which is what makes it easy to remove. Just be sure to net what comes loose before it clings to another surface and is reborn
 

WHICH PART OF YOUR SETUP IS HARDEST TO REACH OR REMOVE FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE?

  • Glass behind or beside the tank

    Votes: 8 36.4%
  • Powerheads or wavemakers

    Votes: 2 9.1%
  • Sump or rear filtration chambers

    Votes: 2 9.1%
  • Skimmer or other filtration equipment

    Votes: 1 4.5%
  • Overflow or plumbing

    Votes: 6 27.3%
  • Lights or lids

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Mine is pretty easy to access!

    Votes: 2 9.1%
  • Other—tell us what I missed

    Votes: 1 4.5%
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