Algae ID

[brian222]

Hi reef2reefers,

Happy July 4th! [emoji16]
I found all these purple/red spots show up since few days ago all over the rocks, I tried to scratch them off but I couldn't remove them, not sure if they are red algae or coraline

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Looks like coraline[emoji3]

 

[Bropar_Marty]

Looks like coraline[emoji3]

I second this

 

[Murica]

Coraline. Some love it, some hate it. Me personally? A reef tank isn't a reef without it [emoji6]

 

[brian222]

Thanks guys[emoji16][emoji16]i am a little surprised they are coraline because my tank is very young (around 2 months old). They are growing with some green color algae on the rock surface, I tried to remove those green color algae as well but I couldn't scratch them off, just like those pink spots. Does coraline have green color as well?

 

[Murica]

Thanks guys[emoji16][emoji16]i am a little surprised they are coraline because my tank is very young (around 2 months old). They are growing with some green color algae on the rock surface, I tried to remove those green color algae as well but I couldn't scratch them off, just like those pink spots. Does coraline have green color as well?

New tanks typically have green algae which appear similar to coralline. I'm not sure if the green is a different type of coralline or the beginning stages of the purple stuff, or something else, but over time the green should go away and become purple/red /blue. Also if you add new rocks, the new rocks will most likely go through the green stage as well.

Coralline loves calcium. I sometimes add extra calcium into my tank to make it explode.

 

[Bryson.bobby]

New tanks typically have green algae which appear similar to coralline. I'm not sure if the green is a different type of coralline or the beginning stages of the people stuff, or something else, but over time the green should go away and become purple/red /blue. Also if you add new rocks, the new rocks will most likely go through the green stage as well.

Coralline loves calcium. I sometimes add extra calcium into my tank to make it explode.

Yep, the green is coraline in its early stages.

 

[lapin]

Did you vaccinate your tank for measles?

 

[brian222]

New tanks typically have green algae which appear similar to coralline. I'm not sure if the green is a different type of coralline or the beginning stages of the people stuff, or something else, but over time the green should go away and become purple/red /blue. Also if you add new rocks, the new rocks will most likely go through the green stage as well.

Coralline loves calcium. I sometimes add extra calcium into my tank to make it explode.

Thanks for the reply! I just tested my water today the calcium reading is at 480 ppm. I am curious how much higher your calcium reading is?

 

[lapin]

I have a lot of coralline. My calcium is around 435 to 450 . 480 is plenty

 

[Bropar_Marty]

I have no idea what any of my tank parameters are at. Not a big believer in chasing numbers, I know for SPS tanks you have to keep an eye on things to get good growth. But my tank is covered on 3 sides completely with coralline and my corals are growing great.

 

[Murica]

Thanks for the reply! I just tested my water today the calcium reading is at 480 ppm. I am curious how much higher your calcium reading is?

Well right now I'm in a transition phase between tanks so I haven't tested in a while, but I tried to keep it up at around 480-490, which is probably a little higher than what most people keep it at.

High calcium isn't THAT big of a deal, but high alk is, so just be sure that doesn't get out of control.