Why is it snowing on my live rock?

Steve Carlson

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 11, 2021
Messages
7
Reaction score
4
Location
Omaha
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Anybody know what this snow is? (And what may have caused this?)

What changed around the time the snow appeared? (about a week ago)

Lights
? (bleaching the algae?) I've had an old 2 bulb T5 fixture, but just added a neptune sky 12 inches up only at 25% (afraid of the ugly stage).

Salt? I've been using instant ocean reef crystals, and just started using a new box.

Chemistry? Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate are all fine. DKH is 11 in the new saltwater (which I believe is normal for Reef Crystals), but my display has been testing around 8. I'm so concerned about major chemistry swings between boxes of Reef Crystals that I've purchased Red Sea Salt for more stability going forward. I don't yet have tests for magnesium and calcium, but I know I'll need to start checking those too.

Ugly Stage? Is this just an occasional part of the new tank ugly stage I've never heard about? (i.e. and it will go away?)

Tangs (and lawnmower blenny)? Could the tanks have scraped the algae down to the rock in all these places leaving these white patches?

Tank Context:
120 Gallons, 40 breeder sump.
4 month dry rock cycle (bleached rock to start back in January)
To avoid pests, I've been quarantining everything (fish 60 days, inverts 76 days, coral 76 days)
When done, I've moved some of each to the display tank over the past 4 to 6 weeks.
Green algae started when I turned lights on for corals, I have some coralline algae started from one coral frag.
The "snow" started appearing about a week ago among the green algae, not just near the lights but on several rocks down in the sand.
I've tried to scrape it off to see if it's on top of the algae or even the bare rock itself, but I couldn't rub or flake anything off, and it's whiter than the Pukani was even right after being bleached. While the lights make it almost "glow" white, with the lights off it's not as obvious, but it's clear the algae's either replaced or covered there, but not nearly as noticeable.


Any insight would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve

20210814_172639.jpg TankPhoto1.jpg
 

davidcalgary29

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 24, 2020
Messages
2,722
Reaction score
3,381
Location
Peace River, Alberta
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Does it have a Christmas Tree worm on it? :p

Could be your fish. My dottybacks enjoy blowing sand on rocks, and I have no idea why.
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 76 37.4%
  • Not currently, but I have had feather dusters in my tank in the past.

    Votes: 70 34.5%
  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 26 12.8%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 29 14.3%
  • Other.

    Votes: 2 1.0%
Back
Top