Help identify please

EQCM2B · 10-22-2005, 06:57 AM

I setup my tank last saturday (15th ofOctober) with @ 45lbs dead rock, 40lbs of live sand from LFS, tap water using aqua safe to kill the chlorine, Instant Ocean salt. I haveno fish or inverts in tank. I rinsed the dead rock off with my pressure washer before I put it in the tank. My perametersare as follows:
Last Saturday ph-8.2, sg-.023, ammonia-.50, nitrite-0, nitrate-0
Last night ph-8.0,sg-.026, ammonia-.50, nitrite-.50, nitrate-.50

Here is my question. Does anyone know what the white stuff on my rocks is? I would have posted pics but I guess the computer is more intelligent than me at the moment. Whatever it is it looks sort of like an oyster shell only that it is sporatic on my rock and averages about the size of a dime only it is not circular.

Any help would be appreciated.

EQCM2B · 10-22-2005, 07:09 AM

I think I figured out how to post a pic.. Here is the best I can get with my camera.

dakar · 10-22-2005, 10:14 AM

You say dead rock.... though no t prefferred it will often work and be very much alive in 6 months or so... But do you kow the origin of the rock? Any name attached to it from whereever yo got it from?

EQCM2B · 10-22-2005, 10:43 AM

Sorry, no idea where from or what kind of rock. It was at the LFS for $1.99 a pound. Some of the holes were full of some kind of sand/mud that were covered over by caps of a velvety green covering. I tried to pressure wash all of the loose stuff off, that is how I found out about the sand covered holes. Here are some more pics now that my camera is back up. I hope this helps. Someone else mentioned that it might be a sponge growth but the only thing that is alive is the sand. Is this possible/ probable?

graphixx · 10-22-2005, 11:17 AM

it looks like types of sponges or tunicates, you should be fine, just keep an eye on the parameters of the tank. good luck

Reptoreef · 10-22-2005, 11:28 AM

Agreed... if more of a smoother "stone"(pic looks like it may be a softer/spongy material) couls also be bleached coralline algae. Keep an eye on the water quality.

davejnz · 10-22-2005, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EQCM2B

Sorry, no idea where from or what kind of rock. It was at the LFS for $1.99 a pound. Some of the holes were full of some kind of sand/mud that were covered over by caps of a velvety green covering. I tried to pressure wash all of the loose stuff off, that is how I found out about the sand covered holes. Here are some more pics now that my camera is back up. I hope this helps. Someone else mentioned that it might be a sponge growth but the only thing that is alive is the sand. Is this possible/ probable?

Was it sold dry?Did you actually use a pressure washer(freshwater) on it?
I wouldn't imagine you having that much sponge growth in 2 weeks w/dry rock.

EQCM2B · 10-22-2005, 12:45 PM

Yes rock was sold dry and I did use a pressure washer (freshwater) to clean it with. It has only been one week. That is why I thought that it might be a bad thing because very little "GOOD" happens quickly. I appreciate all of your help.

Reef_Angel · 10-22-2005, 05:54 PM

Is this stuff that appeared on your rocks Hard, Soft, Spongy or rubbery feeling? Sometimes just looking isn't enough. Don't be afraird that you'll hurt it, or that it could hurt you. You're safe there!

It may help in identifying it so that you know whether to scrub it off, or leave it on there. Sponges are good things. So give it a good lookover before you decide what to do with it.

EQCM2B · 10-22-2005, 06:34 PM

UPDATE!!!
This stuff is slimey. It has the consitency of egg drop soup when I rubbed it off of the rock and removed some of it from the tank. Does this help anyone?