Not sure if this is nuisance?

[Lcombs]

Hi, I’m still new to this hobby and have some green algae popping up on my rocks and hermits. I don’t notice it at all with the lights on in my tank but once I cut the lights off at night I’m able to see it. I’ve attached a picture.

 

[andrewey]

Are you talking about the green coating on the rocks (as if they were spray painted lightly green) or the green strands, like tiny pieces of grass?

 

[Lcombs]

Are you talking about the green coating on the rocks (as if they were spray painted lightly green) or the green strands, like tiny pieces of grass?

Almost as if they were spray painted (never thought of it that way but that’s a perfect description). I tried using a toothbrush on the rock but it did absolutely nothing. My hermit crabs and fighting conch all have the same growth on their shells as well

 

[andrewey]

No need to worry! I assume the tank is relatively young? The algae is perfectly normal. It will grow anywhere there is light at first, then it will cover the rock completely in 6 months-2 years. But not to worry, in a short order, that green will be covered up with shades of purple/pink with coraline algae (starts around 3-6 months) and various colors from sponges and other organsims. It's a natural process that tanks go through with new rock (the order by which various algae colonize the rock).

 

[Lcombs]

No need to worry! I assume the tank is relatively young? The algae is perfectly normal. It will grow anywhere there is light at first, then it will cover the rock completely in 6 months-2 years. But not to worry, in a short order, that green will be covered up with shades of purple/pink with coraline algae (starts around 3-6 months) and various colors from sponges and other organsims. It's a natural process that tanks go through with new rock (the order by which various algae colonize the rock).

Yeah, the tank is only three months old right now

 

[andrewey]

You can already see this in action with the pieces you already have with the purple coraline algae/ orange/yellow sponges. Those areas of the piece have already gone through this process. The other areas may have been covered/buried/shaded and are now going through it again

 

[ScottB]

Hey! Welcome to R2R! We are glad you are here.

How old is the system? Assuming it is less than 12-18 months, you will have various phases of the "uglies". Just part of the deal. Unless you get heavy algae growth, I would not worry or intervene. You start with some diatoms, then some green film algae, then some brown furry stuff, then some green hair algae. All part of the maturation process.

Keep posting pics as you move through the phases but don't feel compelled to "correct" anything unless you get an overwhelming consensus that intervention is necessary. Stable salinity and temps is really all you need to worry about in the beginning.

Happy reefing!