Something on my live rock

Question

live rock   QUESTION: Can you identify this organism for me, and let me know if i need to get rid of it or keep it around? It is on my live rock i got from a friend.

ANSWER: Hello,

It is hard to see and id that 'organism' when it is out of the water. Can you tell me if that is soft/hard?  do they flow/move int he current?  what color is it?

It looks like and maybe a 'macro algae' which would probably be ok/good, depending on what it is and whether or not you want 'plants' in your display tank, or in a refugium?

Some/lots of critters love some of the macro algae, while others will grow and just look pretty..

anyways, I look forward to hearing more info and talking about your organism again.


bukk



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It is pretty soft, but just stands straight up in the water. It is a brownish green. I'm not gonna lie, it is super ugly. If my tank needs it, ill keep it, but if theres something better for it, and it looks better too, ill go with it.

ANSWER: Your tank dont NEED it.  But, it sounds like a MACRO Algae, which is probably a good sign your friend that gave it to you had a fairly mature tank.

If you have a sump/refugium, I would suggest putting the rock into the refugium, and then if it is an edible macro, then you can just pull a bit off and feed your tangs a pinch every so often.  (if it is an edible variant)

But for now, if you just want to scrape it off, you can do that, but it will continue to grow back...

good luck


bill

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: what isva sump/refugium? and what perposes do macroalgae have in an aquarium?

Answer
Hello,

There are different types/ways to setup a saltwater aquarium.  If you got your equipment/setup from a local fish store, chances are you have a cannister filter, or maybe a 'hang on the tank' filter.

These are on the more populare side due to how many folks have them, but they are not on the 'side' of being more useful or more suitable for keeping a reef tank.

A sump is a smaller tank usually under the display tank in a cabinet, and the water is drained from the main tank to this smaller tank, and then the water is pumped back up to the display tank.  The 'sump' is a place to put thermometers, heaters, fitler pads if you choose to still use them, and other equipment, that is not part of your reef...

MACro alagea are 'LARGE' algae, not the cyanno or fuzzy, or ugly algae that grows on the rocks and glass.  Some of it is edible by some vegetarian fish and critters, and others are just there to filter the water.  Just like plants on the earth use CO2, and expel oxygen, Macro algae will also filter nutrients, (nitrrates) and expel oxygen and clean water...


a REEF READY tank is usually drilled and or has an 'overflow' box in it, and if it dont, then you would need a 'hang on the tank' overflow box...

I hope this helps.


bill