What is it?

[blosserl]

I have a brownish purple 'skin' that grows on my live rock and sand (mostly rock). Can anyone tell me what (or how to find out) it is??

My tanks were started about 8 weeks ago with cured live rock and sand. About 3 weeks ago I got a large copper colored growth that formed over a lot of my rock. It was on the upper surfaces of the rock that received the most lighting. After a few days the color changed to very dark 'plum' color - that I now would consider a brownish plum/purple color.

I do not know what it is but could not find any 'good' information and started to remove it after the first color change, using tweezers and a turkey baster. It peels back like a very thin skin. The turkey baster will blow the 'skin' off or make a flap that can be easily pealed/lifted with the tweezers.

The water is very clear and all tests are within normal (suggested) perimeters. This never created any 'spike' or change of any kind.

If anyone can offer any info and/or advice to its identity, cause, purpose and control; I would be very grateful! Thanks, ahead of time, for your time and advice.

I am obviously new to the hobby and am doing my best to learn. I am having a very frustrating time trying to determine 'good', 'normal' growth.

Thanks, again!

[THEJRC]

In such a new tank I would say some form of cyano bacteria, this is normal. It's feeding off the excess nutrients (which is most likely why your tests show low). If you can, siphon it out during your next water change or with a turkey baster and you'll be alright!

[PhotoJohn]

It is a bacteria. cyano possibly. I have had it several times. I usually just suck it off the rocks with a water change. It will cover over corals and kill them. You can also buy a product called red slime remover, I have used it, it works. It will kill all the "red slime" however it can also kill good bacteria. I would just suck it off the rock and keep up with regular water changes. It usually appear in tanks that are new or have bad water. Its not a big deal, just a bit odd looking

[Reefbaby]

your tank is going through a cycling phase. Cyano can often trap nitrates and phosphates, so sometimes the readings can be off.

Have you done your first water change yet? How's your flow? Maybe you need to increase the total turnover in your tank...this can often help with cyano.

[Reefbaby]

by the way...are you using a skimmer?

[blosserl]

Thanks for all the replies and info. I will keep doing as I am and as you have suggested. I will stay more conservative without chemical additives... I am way to new to play with big toys!

How long can I expect this 'cycling' to continue? I have heard, read, been told so many things I am confused.

About a skimmer: no... the tanks are very small (5G,5G,12G), I was told it was not necessary with frequent water changes. I just did one 3 days ago (is once a week/20% OK) They do have in-tank sumps and good circulation (I will check again). Should I look at protein skimmer's, what is recommended for small tanks?

I have all these tanks located together right now for convenience and observations. Should I look at setting up a larger tank (connecting them all to it) below as a external sump to add a skimmer to it?? Maybe a refugium? is this overkill?

"Cyano can often trap nitrates and phosphates, so sometimes the readings can be off."..... I have noticed that bubbles will sometimes be around or under the 'skin'; Is that what that is? If I am sure to test the water after cleaning it away, will I get accurate readings?

Another question about water changes and siphoning: what is a good tool/kit to use....how do you siphon off the sand (the cyano is there as well) without taking up sand as well??

Again, thank you sooo much for the info and support!

Let me add KUDOS! to this site!! I have listened to a couple of podcasts and have really enjoyed and gotten a lot from them. I am looking to dedicate a lot time (time permitting) here, I haven't even gotten into your 'library' or 'links' .... you seem to have it ALL! Glad I found you It's with help like this that I will continue with this great new hobby!!

[poppin_fresh]

Cyano bacteria is not necessarily an indicator of cycling, even a three year old tank can experience Cyano from time to time. It is often a sign that there are excess nutrients in the tank that they can feed off of. Reducing their food source is the best way to control them. What are you feeding your tanks?

As far as a skimmer, you are going to have a hard time finding a skimmer that will work on such small tanks. Regular water changes with good salt and RO/DI water will work just as well, maybe even better.

Siphoning can be done with either a commercially available kit, or by simply buying some small vinyl tubing. Larger tubing will drain water faster and in tanks your size that may create a problem, so keep it on small size. I would try something slightly larger than airline tubing to start with.

[blosserl]

Thank you poppin-fresh!

That was the info that I was given in reference to a skimmer and small tanks. I started my tanks with LR and sand and the only additive I use is PurpleUp every other day or two in the sumps. I don't do every day because it is so hard to measure for such small tanks and I didn't want to overdo... maybe I still am?? On the 12G when looking from in up to the surface there is a slight film (clear not cyano). Although it started with the biggest 'bloom' it now has the smallest problem. The two 5G tanks I am constantly removing growth from the rock and sand.

I have a just started a 39G that I have just added LR to - it is the same LR as used for the other 3 that has been maintained in a large Tupperware container with 2 powerheads and a heater (76-76 degrees, same as others). I was (am) adding the PurpleUp to it as well. I still have the container going because there is still some LR/LS remaining. I have no cyano, that I can see, in either! I also do not have lighting (other then regular house/room lighting) on the container.

Another note: my 12G and 39G both have refugiums in the back tank sumps. In the 12G I did add some macro algae, nothing else...no sand or rock. Could this be helping control the nutrients in it?

The sumps in the of the 5Gs only have the filter area with the filter balls and pad and then the section for the pump. Could/should I add some macro algae (or some other source??) in either of those compartments without clogging the pump?

I understand that the smaller the tank the more difficult to maintain but they are hard to resist for a beginner I wanted to have one to keep as my quarantine tank, that I am determined to do even though many people don't and say it is not necessary.

As to the sand and siphoning: I only have 1" - 1 1/2'' beds. If I do siphon off too much, I can add to it with sand from my 'container' without spiking changes since it has cycled as the rest??

I have read (and listened to from podcasts) on this site about attaching a brush to the siphon tube to help with the cleaning. I am going to try it.

Last (I promise...I am sorry... I'm new to this hobby & forums, I am sure I am breaking some 'forum etiquette"); with my 5Gs (with the most cyano), would it be too much if I siphoned and did maybe a 10% water change every 3-5 days instead of 20% every week?

Again, thank you so much for your time... it is such a help!! Most of my lfs ignore a lot of my questions. They want to tell me what to do and not why. How can you enjoy a hobby, maintain a healthy tank environment without understanding??

You all are great!

[blosserl]

Oh, I do us RO water to mix my saltwater and top-off my tanks!

[Reefbaby]

Your idea of setting up a larger tank as a sump and hooking them all together is a fantastic idea. You will be able to get much more stable conditions in the smaller tanks. The larger the water volume, the more room for fluctuations.

I didn't mean to suggest that cyano is only a cycling stage...it often comes with the cycling phase, but is always an indication of too much nutrients - regardless of whether this is during the cycling phase or in a very mature, old tank.

I don't have any experience with skimmerless tanks, so I'm not sure if 10% water changes every 3-5 days is overkill or not. Keep in mind there's a lot of good "things" in the water as well...so you don't want to be removing the majority of your good bacteria to often. But, again...I'm not sure if in a skimmerless situation this is good. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

Filter balls/bioballs - these can often be nitrate traps and can reak havoc in reef tanks. I would recommend rather relying on live rock to add us a bacterial filtration.

Again....if you could somehow plumb the smaller tanks together and have a larger sump with a skimmer that's filtering ALL the tanks, this would certainly be the ideal situation!

Glad you've joined in and are asking away. Welcome to the community!

[blosserl]

Thanks reefbaby, I appreciate the support!

I did understand your comment to cyano as you intended. My response to 'cycling' is just that I have been given so many varying comments to the process that I have no idea when it is complete and/or when to add livestock. I have been told as little as a week from the cured LR to 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks............

I am looking into connecting my two smallest to the tupperware container (this is secret that I am trying to slip in behind my DPH's back he thinks I'm getting a little obsessed with these tanks!) with the extra LR & sand. I just need to figure out how ... pipes, connector, pump and all. Any diy plans with specifics would be great...

When I did the R/O system I was making so many runs for some little piece I was missing. I hope I find a plan and am more organized before I start with this project.

I am in great need of skimmer recommendations! There are soo many and I have spent some trying to wade my through several sites. I have no clue how to pick one.

I already have 2 powerheads and a heater... would I just then get a submersible pump (like in the