Black Algae

I'm perplexed about a slimy black colored algae growing in my 37 gallon. I'm not even sure if it's an algae for that matter. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

need a more detailed description or better yet a pic

 

Pic??  I had this happen to my 34 nano and finally had to nuke it with chemiclean. I would check any and all things before you did that like photo period of 8 and under, ro water top off and water changes, good flow and you might want to raise your magnisium levels.

 

Best I could do. Funny enough I tried two digital cameras and the best pics came from my Android.

 

Another view.

 

I'm a total newbie, but I think this info answers your post...
My photo period is low, I think. I run lights one hour in the morning and 4.5 hours in the evening.
I did an RO top off just yesterday. It was fairly low.
Good flow... Best I can get w/o a sump. This is a 37 gallon.
I haven't even checked my magnesium.
Again, I'm a newb, take it easy on me...

 

That looks more like a sponge to me. They are good things to have in the tank.

 

Nah.. thats that ol funky cyno... deep dark red almost black. It can be a pain and you need to nip it in the bud now.  Take that peice out if you can. Doesnt look like you have anything in there that it would bother if you do. scrub that rock in hot water and get it off without getting any loose peices in the tank. You should be fine. Everyone has to scrape a bad algae from time to time. this just happens to be an eyesore that can be easily taken care of b/c its in an easy spot to get to.

I dont know how long the tank has been set up.. I am guessing its still a really new tank.

 

It's only been up maybe six months now. I'll probably pull it and scrub this weekend. Thank you again for the great advice.

 

Are there any bottom dwellers I can add that would eat this stuff?

 

Sadly there is almost nothing that will eat cyno.... some people have luck with cetian things like mexican hermits and conchs but nothing is guranteed...

 

You might try a small urchin. They eat algaes of most kinds but it's as mentioned a definite maybe. Also, be warned that if you go for an urchin.... When they run out of algae they start munching on your coraline and most people like the pretty purple, pink, and red of coraline.

 

lol I can see it now, i saw it on my phone to begin with and it looked like the outcropping was completely black, so I thought sponge.



And urchins carry all of your favorite frags ( yes I'm sure they select your specific favorites ) and put them under rocks where they bleach and die if you don't realize they are under a rock soon enough.

 

Also, they say cerith snails eat cyno, but I have my doubts...

 

Cyno is not an algea it is a bacteria I have had this a few times and have never seen anything eat cyno. you have a problem with a nutrient being to high. Cyno will starve it self out once you remove the source. The problem is finding the source of the problem such as feeding to heavy or lack of water changes or low water flow such as a dead spot in the water column. That would be where I would start to look at.