Black "stuff" on my LR

[mhe]

Hi,

I'm starting to get some "black stuff" on some of my live rock - it looks more like "mold" or "fungus" then algae, but I don't have a clue about what it is or what I should do about it (if anything).

Can anyone tell from this picture what this stuff is?

Thanks,

- Michael

 

[Scott G]

How long has your tank been set up?

Does it have a little purple tint?

It seems like some algae that took over my tank in it's early stages. Some hermits and snails fixed that problem

 

[mhe]

How long has your tank been set up?

Does it have a little purple tint?

It seems like some algae that took over my tank in it's early stages. Some hermits and snails fixed that problem

My tank's been setup since 1/05, so almost two years. It's been stable for a while now, good water params, I have an auto top off system, calcium reactor, skimmer, etc. so things have been pretty solid for the past six or nine months...

I'd say no to the purple tint, it's gray/black.

Thanks,

- Michael

 

[maurod]

Does it look like this stuff without the white fuzz?
http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=35550

I think I have it too, I am trying to find a critter to eat it.
M.

 

[mhe]

Nope, it actually looks pretty much like what you can see in the picture. Almost like coraline, but black not purple... The rock in the picture had no black/gray on it a few weeks ago...

- Michael

 

[dad300]

is it soft? if it is it might be a black sponge.. I have some in my tank... sometimes it takes off and grows and then it dies back for no apparent reason.

 

[mhe]

No, it doesn't appear soft, but right now it looks like a thin layer...

 

[fanaglethebagle]

It can just be a different form of corraline.

 

[Clam Man]

hard to tell by the picture but I would also say no to the sponge it is in the open black sponge usually grows in the shaded part of your tank.if its only on that rock and you can take it out I would just incase its a fungus e typ thing e better to be safe than sorry.