First time, trying to cycle tank. What is this weird white hair looking stuff?

[mochlate]

I'm starting my first 20g reef tank, currently trying to cycle the tank. Today I noticed this white hair looking stuff growing on the rocks. What is this?

https://i.redd.it/ao94w6482tm01.jpg

[ramseynb]

It looks like some type of hair algae that has sand dust on it. Is your tank cycled? It might just be a good ole hair algae outbreak and it’s time for a CUC.

[j.falk]

Is your tank cycled?

currently trying to cycle the tank.

I agree...it looks like some type of algae either with debris covering it or it's dying and losing/lost the green color...

[mcgyvr]

Why are your rocks so covered in algae?
Why did you start with rock like that?

You are in for a losing battle if you continue IMO...

[AlSimmons]

Are these filaments stiff or do they sway with the current? It kind of looks like an abundance of Bryozoans IMO.

[kiMxD]

Just like mcgyvr has mentioned. What happened to your live rock? Did you buy it this way? If you did, please, remove it and buy new dry rock.

I made once a mistake of buying used rock from PETCO that was filled with ICH parasites, my biggest regret ever.

Used live rock seems good but they can carry a whoooooole bunch of issues within them that you'll never know until it starts killing everything in your tank, do some research, please.

When you start a new tank, is very important to start with everything NEW, and this includes the live rock.

A cheap option is saltwaterfish.com as well as bulkreefsuply, they both sell cheap new rock.

This algae looks like hair algae with dust/sand on it IMO.

Good luck buddy!

[mochlate]

This was used live rock my friend got from a local store (not sure which)

I threw it in the tank along with some live sand, distilled water and an appropriate amount of salt.

3 days later this is where we are

The white stuff does flow in the water and is not stiff.

Should I just can the whole project and start with new sand water and dry rock. Or is this just the algae that was on the live rock dying as part of the cycling process?

[mochlate]

Here is a short video for a better idea: https://photos.app.goo.gl/0HGIEN3F2OXN2jsy2

[j.falk]

Just like mcgyvr has mentioned. What happened to your live rock? Did you buy it this way? If you did, please, remove it and buy new dry rock.

I made once a mistake of buying used rock from PETCO that was filled with ICH parasites, my biggest regret ever.

Used live rock seems good but they can carry a whoooooole bunch of issues within them that you'll never know until it starts killing everything in your tank, do some research, please.

When you start a new tank, is very important to start with everything NEW, and this includes the live rock.

A cheap option is saltwaterfish.com as well as bulkreefsuply, they both sell cheap new rock.

This algae looks like hair algae with dust/sand on it IMO.

Good luck buddy!

Reefcleaners dry rock! No phosphates!

https://www.nano-reef.com/forums/topic/361087-reefcleaners-dry-rock-hands-down-the-best-in-the-market/

[mcgyvr]

It could be loaded with phosphates that can take quite a while to leach out and just cause the algae to continue growing like crazy.. The smart move would be to trash it and get some more rock from reefcleaners as stated above..

With such a small tank and such a little amount of rock/cost just trash that crap.. Its not worth trying to save it..

[mochlate]

So if I get some dry rock and then get Bio-Spira that should get my tank cycled properly?

[mcgyvr]

So if I get some dry rock and then get Bio-Spira that should get my tank cycled properly?

yep.. that will do it..

Bio-spira really not needed but you can certainly use it..

[mochlate]

I'm going to get some dry rock and not mess around with buying live rock. How long will it take for my current (bad) live rock to die so that I can use it as dry rock in the future? Or should I just toss it?

[mochlate]

Also, how long will it take for all the bacteria and whatnot that grew on my pump/heater to die off so I can use it in a new fresh tank?

[rjjr1963]

I would toss the old rock. Not worth the effort. Sterilize your pump and heater in a bucket of bleach/water overnight and you should be good to go.

[j.falk]

So if I get some dry rock and then get Bio-Spira that should get my tank cycled properly?

That's exactly how I set up and cycled my tank.