Hey, over the past couple weeks I noticed some dark green (now almost black) spots starting on most of my rocks and wood. I didn't think much of it, especially because I just had a little battle with diatoms. I noticed tonight that they are getting larger, darker and raised up a bit, like moss or lichen.
Both the rocks and wood are from a creek up a local canyon. I brought them home, soaked them over night in very hot water in the tub (I don't have a pot available to boil them in) and then scrubbed them very well with a wire brush. I then let them dry out for several days before introducing them to the tank. All this was in hopes of preventing the introduction of harmful microorganisms.
I have had them in my tank for about 6-8 weeks with no noticeable negative effects. My water parameters are fine and stable. pH~ 7.8 (as high as 8.2 out of the tap), ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 10-20 ppm ( so hard to tell the difference between those two sometimes). Lighting is a DIY setup, with 4 X 13 watt CFL's. I also have a DIY CO2 setup, and my lights are on about 12 hours a day.
I will attach several pictures. They are as close as I can get them. Mostly I am just curious what it is.
Thanks for the help in advance.
Both the rocks and wood are from a creek up a local canyon. I brought them home, soaked them over night in very hot water in the tub (I don't have a pot available to boil them in) and then scrubbed them very well with a wire brush. I then let them dry out for several days before introducing them to the tank. All this was in hopes of preventing the introduction of harmful microorganisms.
I have had them in my tank for about 6-8 weeks with no noticeable negative effects. My water parameters are fine and stable. pH~ 7.8 (as high as 8.2 out of the tap), ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 10-20 ppm ( so hard to tell the difference between those two sometimes). Lighting is a DIY setup, with 4 X 13 watt CFL's. I also have a DIY CO2 setup, and my lights are on about 12 hours a day.
I will attach several pictures. They are as close as I can get them. Mostly I am just curious what it is.
Thanks for the help in advance.