How do I get rid of Coralline Algae?

FishFinatic ;) · Jun 8, 2019

I noticed I have a ton of purple-ish algae (coralline algae) growing in my tank. I do water changes all the time, and it still keeps coming back. I'm not sure if I should be trying to get rid of it or not, and if so, how do I go about getting rid of it?

I hope anyone can give me some advice on what to do

I'd appreciate the insight

Robert_ellis · Jun 8, 2019

Water changes wont stop coraline algae. Only way to get rid of it is scrape the glass

road_runner · Jun 8, 2019

Am guessing you run kh on the higher side..
If so, reducing kh will slow down the caroline algae. But you need to make sure you choose a kh range that is accetible to your system inhabitants.
Why you bothered by the algae?

khushtram · Jun 8, 2019

Coraline algae is a good sign. Most people like myself are trying to increase the coraline growth in the tanks. If you do want to remove it you can do it manually and suck it all off during a water change or you can get a sea urchin they love to eat it.

Justin Cook · Jun 8, 2019

It grows like a weed in all of my tanks and scraping it in the only way to get rid of it. I do keep pincushion urchins and they knock it back quite a bot but they come with their own sets of issues if you have or want any frags. That being said, they are fascinating and they can mow through some coralline.

Highgrade · Jun 8, 2019

Blue tuxedo urchins.

jtl · Jun 8, 2019

Leave it on the rocks and scrape it off the glass. Don't let it get a big foothold on the glass or it will be difficult to get it off.

FishFinatic ;) · Jun 8, 2019

Justin Cook said:
It grows like a weed in all of my tanks and scraping it in the only way to get rid of it. I do keep pincushion urchins and they knock it back quite a bot but they come with their own sets of issues if you have or want any frags. That being said, they are fascinating and they can mow through some coralline.

Cool, then a sea urchin it is! I don't know why it bothers me it just kinda looks out of place? If that makes any sense? I do have a porcupine puffer in there currently, would the sea urchins and him get along okay? I don't have any frags of any sort in there plus it is a FOWLR tank, so the coral conflict won't be a problem.

Well thank you guys, all of you, I appreciate the help

FishFinatic ;) · Jun 8, 2019

I was told that coralline algae was a bad thing, but I guess not... well that's good to know definitely that it's not harming my tank

Chad Sepulvado · Jun 8, 2019

Coralline algae is good, imo.

Jvesche20 · Jun 8, 2019

I love coralline algae

Justin Cook · Jun 8, 2019

If I had to guess, I'd say most urchins would be snack for a porcupine puffer. There is a long spined urchin that might be alright but at this point I really am guessing. But I would not put a pincushion or tuxedo urchin in with a porcupine puffer.

road_runner · Jun 8, 2019

FishFinatic ;) said:
I was told that coralline algae was a bad thing, but I guess not... well that's good to know definitely that it's not harming my tank

Not correct. This type of algae is not harmful and sign of mature system. I would not let it bother me.

Peace River · Jun 8, 2019

FishFinatic ;) said:
I was told that coralline algae was a bad thing, but I guess not... well that's good to know definitely that it's not harming my tank

There are lots of undesirable algae like cyano, but IMO coralline is good and a good sign of a healthy tank - it shows your alkalinity and calcium levels are on track and shows that your tank is maturing. In fact, several companies sell coralline algae and products to enhance coralline algae growth.

lbacha · Jun 8, 2019

If it’s a Fowler tank make sure you Alk and calcium are low (use the lowest alk and cal salt out there) this will restrict what coralline needs to grow

Len