A "why" question that I've always wondered about...

[ErinD]

Why does Coraline always seem to start growing on the plastic part of equipment... protein skimmer, power heads, etc...

 

[sp1187]

always wondered this too.
overflow box has more than anything else in the tank.

 

[ErinD]

always wondered this too.
overflow box has more than anything else in the tank.

I can kind of understand the overflow boxes - my theory would be that the water is being "pulled" to them, also bringing any spores - but you would think that the glass (specifically the back glass) where current is bringing spores more readily, would be the obvious choice - or hell - rock!

 

[Wrasse-cal]

My guess is that it is because the plastic is less smooth than the glass, so there is better adhesion by the particles of free-floating algae .

 

[ErinD]

My guess is that it is because the plastic is less smooth than the glass, so there is better adhesion by the particles of free-floating algae .

I've thought that too, but what about dead rock? Why wouldn't it start there first?

 

[Wrasse-cal]

I've thought that too, but what about dead rock? Why wouldn't it start there first?

In my experience, plastic and rock are about the same.

 

[ErinD]

In my experience, plastic and rock are about the same.

Maybe it's just not as noticeable on dry rock. Too many nooks and crannies to notice, unlike the plastic.

 

[KrisReef]

Static cling. Plastic probably has more attractive forces than grounded rock

 

[ErinD]

Static cling. Plastic probably has more attractive forces than grounded rock

Never thought of that!

 

[vetteguy53081]

rougher surface- Easier adhesion

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

My guess is that it is because the plastic is less smooth than the glass, so there is better adhesion by the particles of free-floating algae .

I may be wrong, but I don't think I've seen coralline algae ever start on glass until there was a base of some type of film algae, which would give it a surface to adhere.

 

[sp1187]

My guess is that it is because the plastic is less smooth than the glass, so there is better adhesion by the particles of free-floating algae .

my overflow is polished. as smooth as glass.

 

[flsalty]

my overflow is polished. as smooth as glass.

Plastic may appear to be as smooth as glass, but it will never be. Unless, of course, it's some really dense plastic. But plastic is softer than glass so there will be imperfections, even if we can't see them with the naked eye.

 

[sp1187]

Plastic may appear to be as smooth as glass, but it will never be. Unless, of course, it's some really dense plastic. But plastic is softer than glass so there will be imperfections, even if we can't see them with the naked eye.

mine's diamond polished acrylic. smooth as glass?

 

[flsalty]

mine's diamond polished acrylic. smooth as glass?

Nope. Acrylic is much softer than glass. I'm not a big fan of acrylic so I don't know alot about them, but doesn't diamond polished refer to the treatment of the edges only?