ID - Black spot in live rock

[mazurque]

Hello...

There's some black spots in the live rock. It's started to appear three weeks ago.

It's hard as coraline algae to scratch. Does not smell either.

Anybody have any idea? How to control ?

Thanks !

Mazurque

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9asXZ7E0qaE/TlF6ls87HsI/AAAAAAAAAH8/OckRjWrJCeM/s640/IMG_0271.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R0rDIABOiFQ/TlF6kzYlPCI/AAAAAAAAAH4/vjQcNr6DVcc/s640/IMG_0272.JPG

[pfcreed]

Once i turned a rock over that was buried n the sand in my tank n saw something similar.

[OodleyBoodely]

I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like that before. My best guess is it might be sponges just starting to grow, such as the black 'liver' sponges that are common on gulf live rock. If so, they will thicken into lumpy sponges.

[billdogg]

I agree with the above - harmless sponges, actually a pretty good indicator that your tank is doing well

[cloak]

Hello...

There's some black spots in the live rock. It's started to appear three weeks ago.

It's hard as coraline algae to scratch. Does not smell either.

Anybody have any idea? How to control ?

Thanks !

Mazurque

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9asXZ7E0qaE/TlF6ls87HsI/AAAAAAAAAH8/OckRjWrJCeM/s640/IMG_0271.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R0rDIABOiFQ/TlF6kzYlPCI/AAAAAAAAAH4/vjQcNr6DVcc/s640/IMG_0272.JPG

Is there any difference in texture between the black spots and the white rock? I don't know what those are, but I don't think there sponges. Something else perhaps. Maybe even a reaction of some sort.

[mazurque]

thanks, guys.

Is there any difference in texture between the black spots and the white rock? I don't know what those are, but I don't think there sponges. Something else perhaps. Maybe even a reaction of some sort.

The black spot has the same texture as the rock. The black spot is spreading over the entire rock, including white and non white rock :angryfire:

Question. Sponges must be soft? or can be hard as coraline algae ?

The water looks fine. Fish and corals are happy, all parameters are OK and stable. I'm running Vertex Bio-pellets and dosing Microbacter. The skimmer is oversized (KZ-M for a 90g system). 10% water exchange weekly.

This weekend I will replace the DI resin, scratch the rock as much I can and increase "cleaning crew".

More ideas ?

Thanks !!

[daplatapus]

Any chance it can be this?
http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=caribbean_diving_guide&id=446

[cloak]

thanks, guys.


The black spot has the same texture as the rock. The black spot is spreading over the entire rock, including white and non white rock :angryfire:

Question. Sponges must be soft? or can be hard as coraline algae ?

The water looks fine. Fish and corals are happy, all parameters are OK and stable. I'm running Vertex Bio-pellets and dosing Microbacter. The skimmer is oversized (KZ-M for a 90g system). 10% water exchange weekly.

This weekend I will replace the DI resin, scratch the rock as much I can and increase "cleaning crew".

More ideas ?

Thanks !!

Sponges can be either hard or soft, but I would think there would be some sort of difference to the touch. If it feels exactly like the white rock then I don't know what to tell you. As long as your parameters are within reason and your inhabitants look good, you might just have to bare it until coralline algae covers it up.

[mazurque]

Hey guys,

thanks.

Any chance it can be this?
http://species-identification.org/sp...g_guide&id=446

It does not look like. It does not create "tunnels" or something like that.


I will take a close look for the next few days. I will try to gather more info.

[]'s