Green algae...what’s happening?

[Mini Coop]

Tank has been set up since January.
Under the lights the algae is less obvious, but you can see it here (just the room light is on). It’s even on the sand.

I’m using Kessils at 50% intensity - 50% white/blue balance. They run from 3 pm-10pm. I haven’t increased the time of the lights because of the algae.
No hair noticed on the algae.

Parmeters:
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite -0
Nitrate - 15
Mag - 1350
Calcium - 400
PH - 7.9

 

[Crabs McJones]

Looks like a new tank algae cycle to me. Perfectly normal in new maturing tanks. It'll pass with time as long as you keep your water parameters in check Love your rock scape by the way. The wrap around look with that tree rock on the side

 

[Scrubber_steve]

I think this more and more.
When i started my last tank, I used real live rock, fresh from the ocean, critters one and all.
Never had any of the problems I see like this,,, ever!

Dry rock, expect this, pull up an arm chair and wait

 

[ksfulk]

As other have said its just the dry rock getting its "reef patina" and it pretty normal. Upon startup of my tank with dry rock, I got algae, then die off, then green patina, which gave way to coralline. Shouldnt be anything of concern if its not growing a mohawk.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If it doesn’t scrape off or wave in the flow. It’s the funny green precursor to corraline algae.

 

[Mini Coop]

Ah yes! Thank you everyone!!
The last time I set up a tank, it was with fairly freshly cycled rock. I went through the diatoms, and be little bit of hair algae, but it all went away fairly quickly. I had never seen this kind of algae before. However, this time I went with all dry rock. So, that would explain why I have never seen it before. Good to know that it is normal! Tank parameters are very stable. I do, however, need to get my alkalinity up. It is running pretty low. Around 6.8 to 7. I have the alk to Dose but haven’t purchased the doser yet.

 

[Jim Heenan]

Mine looks pretty much like that too (when the LEDs are off and ambient light or a flashlight are illuminating the rock work).

 

[Daniel Waters]

Totally normal. Soon you may get some other coraline colors to start populating the rocks. Doesn't hurt to borrow some scrapings from other reefers to help populate / seed your tank (but will happen over time regardless). Coraline can really use up the calcium and alkalinity also. I think I dose about a third to one half of what I used to have to do during the first year my tank was set up. It might have been my LPS coral growth, but I think it was mostly coraline algae growth needing it.

 

[XNavyDiver]

Ah yes! Thank you everyone!!
The last time I set up a tank, it was with fairly freshly cycled rock. I went through the diatoms, and be little bit of hair algae, but it all went away fairly quickly. I had never seen this kind of algae before. However, this time I went with all dry rock. So, that would explain why I have never seen it before. Good to know that it is normal! Ta nk parameters are very stable. I do, however, need to get my alkalinity up. It is running pretty low. Around 6.8 to 7. I have the alk to Dose but haven’t purchased the doser yet.

Not to worry. Your dry rock will soon look like this:

 

[Mini Coop]

Not to worry. Your dry rock will soon look like this:

That’s amazing growth!!!

 

[Mini Coop]

Not to worry. Your dry rock will soon look like this:

Oh....my.....GOODNESS!!!!

Holy crap!!! I believed you all but still figured I must be doing something wrong...but upon further inspection, there are little purple spots EVERYWHERE!!!! A few spots look more red...is that how it starts? But mostly purple! All over!!!

How cool!!!! My last tank only ever got a little on one side of my rock and the back of the tank!!!

 

[XNavyDiver]

Oh....my.....GOODNESS!!!!

Holy crap!!! I believed you all but still figured I must be doing something wrong...but upon further inspection, there are little purple spots EVERYWHERE!!!! A few spots look more red...is that how it starts? But mostly purple! All over!!!

How cool!!!! My last tank only ever got a little on one side of my rock and the back of the tank!!!

 

[Scorpius]

Oh the days of excitement over coraline growth.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

my bare bottom

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Plastic surfaces like overflows or powerheads are often among the fist places for new coralline to grow.

 

[Mini Coop]

Oh the days of excitement over coraline growth.

Haha. I’ve been through hell with my first tank, so seeing wonderful things happen, I’m pretty excited. Lol.

 

[Mini Coop]

T

my bare bottom

That’s sweet!!!

 

[Mini Coop]

Oh the days of excitement over coraline growth.

Maybe I can just keep you “old fogies” excited by seeing the “newbies” that are doing things right and still getting excited about the little things!!

 

[Scorpius]

Maybe I can just keep you “old fogies” excited by seeing the “newbies” that are doing things right and still getting excited about the little things!!

I'm 31. I'm no old folgie. Lol.

 

[Mini Coop]

I'm 31. I'm no old folgie. Lol.

Haha. ‘Old fogie’ as in being in salt water for a long time. Not age. I’m older than you! But not by much. LOL