black mold

[jojo22]

I have a black mold looking substance in my 10 gal. nano. Any ideas what it might be???

[Reptoreef]

submersed or in an airborne area???

[jojo22]

on the substrate

[Reptoreef]

sounds like cyano bacteria... tell about your system: water source, skimmer or not, how old is it, how often do you feed, and a phosphate test result should help.

[dakar]

Likely as Repto suggested, cyanobacteria.... A picture would help a bit as well....

[jojo22]

I don't have a digital camera. Tank is a 10 gal. filled with distilled water, it has been up for a week and a few days now. it was seeded with LR and sand from the lfs. I already have duster worms, and what I belive are ampipods(sp). Ihanve a small on the back filter, and a limewood bubbler.

[jojo22]

what is this bacteria you are talking about. Good or bad???

[Reptoreef]

part of a cycle, but better relieved due to the probability of high phosphates and/or bad lighting.

[jojo22]

what do you mean better relived, should I scoop it out???

[Reptoreef]

better to solve the overall problem by finding the source and fixing it... yes, scoop out the cyano or syphon while performing a waterchange.

[jojo22]

new lighting will be bought in aprox. 2 weeks.