Weird Stuff On My Rocks

[This Old Spouse]

I'm pretty sure it's algae, but the circumstances were a bit strange. I was under the assumption that excess algae occurred with too MUCH light, but I just came back from several days out of town where the lights had been off the entire time and no feeding was happening either. I just discovered this stuff on my biggest rock in my 55g. Any ideas what it is? I actually think it's kind of interesting, but I certainly don't want my whole tank engulfed in it. Help please?

 

[nosoup4you]

Looks like some sort of green beard algae to me. This guide is an invaluable tool for identifying/preventing algae in the planted tank.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Thanks ... I'm still trying to figure out if it's necessary to eradicate it? Do you think my pleco will find it? I'm loathe to get another algae eater, as the last one tried eating all my other fish.

 

[nosoup4you]

Let it go...maybe increase circulation. Once the plants get going, the tank will sort itself on algae. I will admit, I had some of this on a log many years ago. It was so pretty that I sort of nurtured the stuff.