Coating on live Rock-Live Rock-3reef Forums

westco77 · 02-09-2008, 08:00 PM

Would anyone happen to know what this is? We have like a slimy film with little bubbles on our live rock. Also its on the snails that we have. I think it used to be a red velvet like algae before. It looks like a scab thats peeling off.

NU-2reef · 02-11-2008, 05:50 PM

without a pic its hard to say but sounds like cynobacteria. the bubbles come from a lack of flow. this is a red slime algae which can spread rapidly.

the best way to get rid of it is to get the Mexican red legged hermits, not to be confused with the scarlet hermits. the mex. red legs will eat this stuff up.

NU-2reef · 02-11-2008, 05:56 PM

oh yeah check the water params and if you dont already have a protein skimmer get one or make sure you do more frequent water changes.

Im not sure whether you use RO water to top off with but definately consider a reverse osmosis system for your tank. im sure you already know but tap water can help the growth of algae; just too much garbage in tap water.

good luck.

westco77 · 02-12-2008, 02:27 PM

Thanks for the info. We have been using RO water for a little while now. The bubbles all seem to have disapeared now. We've tested the water and everything seems to be ok. Don't have protein skimmer yet hope to get one soon.

ziggy222 · 02-12-2008, 02:42 PM

almost all new tanks seem to go through that stage at some point.you really should get a skimmer though.i ran my 29 gallon for a month without a skimmer and the fish jumped out.