spider web appearation

[redchick2]

I noticed this "fluff" today. It reminds me of the web worms that attack pecan trees, or spider webbing. Any ideas?

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Looks like a sponge to me.

 

[Fluff]

I agree it looks like the beginnings of a sponge but time will tell for sure.

 

[redchick2]

I'll keep an eye on it and see what happens. thanks.

 

[melosu58]

I think it`s a sponge also. Good filter feeders

 

[redchick2]

Pictures don't allways show the "true picture". I noticed I have a bunch of the "lil tube type worms that spit out webbing to "fish" for supper. It really looks like a massive pile of the worm stuff. Maybe they all spit some out at once?

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Yeah... you're describing the webs from vermitid snails. Those are cool too. But that stuff normally dissolves and breaks up in the water, or gets pulled back into the snail. I think you'll find this stuff stays, and slowly gets larger and spreads. I have stuff like what's in your picture that seems to find a home in the more secluded areas of the tank where there's not a lot of flow. It comes and goes... I'm assuming based upon the excess nutrients in the tank.

But as your signature line mentions... I'm positive it's a sponge, but not 100% sure!

 

[redchick2]

I'll have to keep an eye on it, and report any changes. Thanks for the info.

 

[redchick2]

Here is some more of it on another rock, it does seem to be thickening and growing, but still looks like webbing (or mold) to me. I've also noticed that the maroon, velvety algae beside it is growing nodes. I hope this isn't bad stuff, cuz I love the color and texture.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Is that maroon velvety stuff hard to the touch? Or is it slimy and easily scrubbed off with a toothbrush?

If it's hard, then it's coralline algae and is a good thing. If it's soft and slimy, then it's cyanobacteria which is something you don't want. While I can't tell for sure from the picture, I'm leaning towards coralline algae... but do give it the toothbrush test!

 

[redchick2]

I'll check when I get home, thanks.

 

[drsteve2007]

I have a whitish spider web like substance on my live rock. It is in cocoon like clusters in different parts of the tank. You can see through it. I touched it and it is slimy. It seems to have cone like openings in the 'web' as well. There are no worms coming out of it, and it doesn't seem like it is a sponge. Any ideas what it may be?

 

[melosu58]

You can see the spider type web in the middle of my cauliflower leather coral.