BellyUp
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Where to start! What a terrible tank mom I am! I have multiple "issues" that I hope someone can help me with! I have a 29g BioCube, maroon clown and blue damsel.
1. I have this red/brown stuff that grows and is all over parts of my sand and rock. My LFS said it was red slime so they gave me treatment to use but it didn't work. I've noticed that when I turn the lights on in the morning, the red stuff is nowhere to be found and the buildup on the rock is a grayish color, but after a while of the lights on - sure enough the red returns both on the rock and in my white sand. It's almost as if its alive and just needs to "wake up" after lights come on. With the sand it's both on the top layer and also deeper down (which then causes little snails to vacate the sand that's red, leaving little dark holes).. I tried to lightly scrape some of the layered build-up off my rock too and it came off in little chunks but of course I can't do that to all my rock cause I don't want to damage it. What is it and how can I get rid of it?? (See first 2 pictures).
2. I don't know if this is cause for alarm or not, but rather safe than sorry! I noticed there are tiny clear/white bugs - like lice - crawling all over my coral, rock and even on the sand. TONS of them! They are maybe 1-3mm long and look like they have a bunch of legs (like a centipede) and have 2 front antennae-type things. At first I thought they were teeny shrimp or something but they can't be...how'd they get in there. They make quick, short movements then stop. Then move again and stop. I honestly don't know if they've just always been there and I've never noticed, or if they are new in the last month and taking over! It's like my tank has lice! I don't know if I'm more alarmed they're there, or boggled at how they stay grounded underwater with the current!! (See picture #3)
3. Hopefully last but not least, I've noticed tiny white barnacle-looking, spiral growths on my back panel/wall. I haven't taken pictures yet but will tomorrow. I noticed the "lice" critters crawling on the back wall too but not sure if they came from these barnacle things or if they're separate. More to come when I inspect closer tomorrow.
So far my fish are alive and seem ok. I'm going to do new water tests tomorrow to to see what my levels are at. They were fine before other than my ph bring a little low (which I'm adding builder 2x weekly in hopes it goes up). Sorry I know this is a LOT for one post! I didn't know what else to do or if they were related.. Between these issues and having the flu last week - I was ready to give the dang tank away!
1. I have this red/brown stuff that grows and is all over parts of my sand and rock. My LFS said it was red slime so they gave me treatment to use but it didn't work. I've noticed that when I turn the lights on in the morning, the red stuff is nowhere to be found and the buildup on the rock is a grayish color, but after a while of the lights on - sure enough the red returns both on the rock and in my white sand. It's almost as if its alive and just needs to "wake up" after lights come on. With the sand it's both on the top layer and also deeper down (which then causes little snails to vacate the sand that's red, leaving little dark holes).. I tried to lightly scrape some of the layered build-up off my rock too and it came off in little chunks but of course I can't do that to all my rock cause I don't want to damage it. What is it and how can I get rid of it?? (See first 2 pictures).
2. I don't know if this is cause for alarm or not, but rather safe than sorry! I noticed there are tiny clear/white bugs - like lice - crawling all over my coral, rock and even on the sand. TONS of them! They are maybe 1-3mm long and look like they have a bunch of legs (like a centipede) and have 2 front antennae-type things. At first I thought they were teeny shrimp or something but they can't be...how'd they get in there. They make quick, short movements then stop. Then move again and stop. I honestly don't know if they've just always been there and I've never noticed, or if they are new in the last month and taking over! It's like my tank has lice! I don't know if I'm more alarmed they're there, or boggled at how they stay grounded underwater with the current!! (See picture #3)
3. Hopefully last but not least, I've noticed tiny white barnacle-looking, spiral growths on my back panel/wall. I haven't taken pictures yet but will tomorrow. I noticed the "lice" critters crawling on the back wall too but not sure if they came from these barnacle things or if they're separate. More to come when I inspect closer tomorrow.
So far my fish are alive and seem ok. I'm going to do new water tests tomorrow to to see what my levels are at. They were fine before other than my ph bring a little low (which I'm adding builder 2x weekly in hopes it goes up). Sorry I know this is a LOT for one post! I didn't know what else to do or if they were related.. Between these issues and having the flu last week - I was ready to give the dang tank away!