drumbum540

I just received 20 lbs. of live rock about 1 week ago and I have this ugly looking green algae growing all over my live rock. it is not fuzzy or bubbly. Is this normal for a new tank? I dont have anything in the tank as far as fish or inverts. should I get some fish or inverts or just wait it out?
Thanks for your help!
drumbum540

sgould

Can you get a picture? You are not talking about coraline algae are you? Looks like a colored "shell" coating on top of the rock? If so, most want and encourage it.

drumbum540

no, its definitely not coraline algae. This stuff is pretty much doubling every day. and yes I do believe I can get a picture of it. or at least try to. I might have it up by tomorrow!

drumbum540

I can't get a picture, my camera has been on the fritz. but I have a description, I hope it helps. It has grown now and it looks like green hair. maybe about 1- 1/2 inches long. It is taking over my tank, and it does not want to go. I tried a cleaner shrimp but that died. and now I have a huge turbo snail that eats the stuff on the glass. but not anywhere else. It is spreading onto my sand also.

clinton1621

It sounds like hair algae.... usually caused by excess waste (nitrates, ammonium (not the same as ammonia) and phosphates)..... or improper lighting.... ie. if you leave the lights on too long, you have lighting that is putting out more than your tank is actually using (in other words more light than you need for a specific setup) or you have direct or even too much indirect sunlight on your tank.