rsteph

I have some purplish colored growth on my live rock, it looks almost like matted hair or like some thin cloth type stuff. I'm curious what exactly this is, and if anyone can suggest a good way to get rid of it? It's taking over a larger and larger portion of my live rock. I was hoping the crabs and snails and shrimp and stuff would eat it, but it doesn't touch it...

Do I need to just get a wter squirter and break it off the rock, or can I put something in the tank to kill it off without hurting the fish and good algea's? Or should I take the rock out and deal with it outside the tank...?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Attached (if it worked) are a couple of screen shots of my tank and the live rock - I hope this is good enough to give an idea what I'm working with....

Attached Images

	DSCN1230.jpg (84.2 KB, 16 views)
	DSCN1231.jpg (83.1 KB, 10 views)

Judge

Hi rsteph it looks like Cyanobacteria (CB) to me. There is a product called Red Slime which does a good job and is safe for all your critters. I have found that more frequent water changes and making sure you have a good water flow helps greatly.

__________________
55g SW
Marineland Magnum 350, #3 Koralia, #4 Koralia, Aqua C remora, Odyssea 260W/12K/8 lunar.
40 lbs. CC/65 lbs.LR/40 lbs. LS
5 Blue Green Chromis, Lawnmower Blenny, Serpent Star, Hairy shroom, Red Shrooms, Purple Shrooms, Orange Ricordea, Neon Green Ricordea, Frogspawn, Dragon Eyes, 2 peppermint shrimp, 6 Pin Cushion Urchins, 1 Pulsing Xenia, Green Star Polyps, Mexican Turbos.
75g FW

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unclejed

rsteph, what ever you do, do not blow it around in the tank. It should be able to be sucked off the rock with a siphon and that is what you should do. Judge is correct about "Red slime remover" and also, another product is "Chemiclean". I have used both and both work although I think the chemiclean works a little better as far as speed and total removal. If you use either one of those you must have adequate aeration and watch your PH.

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