• Folks, if you've recently upgraded or renewed your annual club membership but it's still not active, please reach out to the BOD or a moderator. The PayPal system has a slight bug which it doesn't allow it to activate the account on it's own.

newbie question

I have had my setup running for over a week. I purchased a compete FOWLR that has been running for 3 years. It has been crystal clear but . I added 2 powerheads midweek and did a 30% water change today.

I noticed today that my liverock has developed a coating on it kind of like fuzz the fish seem to like it is this normal?
 

redfishbluefish

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Welcome Chuck. A FOWLR that has been running for three years…and you just picked it up. So it is a “moved” tank….but new for you.

What is your water source? Tap or RO or RODI?

I can only guess that you have either hair algae or cyan bacteria. I’m an expert on both…getting them, that is. My only suggestions…water quality, flow and CUC (Clean Up Crew, if hair algae). Also, if it is a FOWLR, turn the lights off for a few days while you address the source of the problem.

In addition, you didn’t mention your “filtration.” Are you running a sump/refugium, or some other system of filtration? This addresses the water quality issue.
 
i have a ro system and replace 30 gals of water on my 72 bowfront. the water is crystal clear . when i did the change i vaccumed the crushed coral. and that stirred things up. this fuzz is only on the live rock and nothing else. thought maybe it was normal.
 
I will try to get a picture today. Looked at it this morning and now i know what it resembles. It looks exactly like i have not dusted in about a week. The same color as dust. It moves in the current like dust but stays attached to the rock
 
sounds like diatoms...although cyano bacteria (initially) could look like dust too. Anyways - i'm with cmsurfr - post a pic and we'll know for sure.
 
Top