Super Bright Green Algae on LR only.

Hi everyone.

So I'm in the process of the last stages of cycling. My tank has been up for about a month. Everything at 0 for the past week (fast, I know.), but I haven't added anything just in-case the cycle wasn't completely done.

I have a bunch of base rock, but my the rock in the center (see pic - sorry for the lame reflections) was LR from the LFS. When I first got it, it had a tiny bit of green algae on it, but since I fired up my lights, it's growing like crazy. It is is pretty soft, and easy to rub off my just the skin of my fingertip (no nail required).

I don't really mind the way it looks - but if there is something hardy, like some sort of hermit, that could be eating it and getting things going in my tank, I'd like to go get one.

My question is though - once the crab has eaten this algae (or whatever it is I should put in the tank), what do I feed them? How do I go about putting in my first invert without killing them and making sure they have enough nutrients to feed on?

Oh - and also - could anyone tell me what those little purple blossom looking things are?

Thanks
Brew

 

Cyano bacteria, your clean up crew when purchased will take care of it. Go to reefcleaners.com to get your crew. If you run out of things for the crew to eat just put in some nori.

Purple things are foraminiferans they are good to have.

 

the purple looks like coralline to me.

*edit* and actually looking closer the green appears to be growing where there is less light, on the under side faces of your rock and the color is the same as green coralline which also starts like that ime

 

It looks like he might have some of that in pink already. Look toward the middle on the second pick and see the purple things that look like a tiny volcano those are the foraminiferans.

 

Thanks for the quick response, 2in10.

I've never ordered anything alive online, and I'd really rather support my LFS... they're cool.

What exactly makes up a CUC? And what would you say is apt. for my 25 gallon tank?

 

Is coraline usually hard to scrape off? This stuff comes right off with very little effort. It is strange though, that it grows more prominently away from the light. I think the reason for that, is that I positioned it very differently than how it was in the tank at the LFS. I've only just turned on my lights about 3 days ago - so I think the algae that was already there from it's previous position under the lights at the LFS is kinda jump started, whereas the areas that are now exposed my light, were in darkness at the LFS.

 

then it's not CA. That's a bright green that looks exactly like CA that has started low in my system. Supporting your local biz is good but at the same time John Maloney @ www.reefcleaners.org is a hell of a guy and sponsors this site.

 

They have a great for for you to fill out then will email you with suggestions in a couple of days or ask more questions. Normally different typse of snails and a few hermits.