What type of algae

[Reesj]

Hi. I had my tank running with fish for over 3.5 months now. There are 2 anemone and few coral colonies. I had a small diaotom blloom about month back mainly due to adding a coral with large dead live rock.

Now I'm having this small hint of green algae growing on the top of my rock structure where receives the most light. I had it also in the 2 frag plugs I bought.
Any idea what's it and if I should be worried. My nerite snails don't seems to be interested in them.

BTW that purple colour is not Coraline algae but just the lights.

 

[Idoc]

Very young tank, it's going to go through several different algae blooms. If it easily blows off the rocks, then could be cyano. But probably just a regular green algae bloom. Mine had a similar bloom in the beginning.

 

[Bret Brinkmann]

They color makes me think green coraline. Does it scrap off easily? Nerites tend to stick to the smoother glass than the rocks. I recommend trochus and cerith snails for rocks. Ceriths also clean the sand. They will both eat green, brown, and red algae. Having multiple types of snails will improve the tanks ability to not be over run by any one type of algae bloom as each snail type usually has a dietary preference.

 

[Reesj]

Well my Nerites travel all around including every rock structure. The problem is that I live in Sri Lanka and that the only types of snails available. Even one place that import marien fish does not import snails.
I have not tried to scrape it off yet. If its green coraline, what can I do ?

 

[Bret Brinkmann]

Coraline is good. Keep it because it adds color to the take and won't over grow anything. Other algae usually won't grow over it making it a good barrier against ugly forms of algae like green hair algae.

 

[Reesj]

Thanks.
It seems it is indeed Coraline algae as it's very thin layer. Also I sport a tiny bits of purple in there.

At the bottom of pic near the hammer there is definite purplish spot.

 

[Reesj]

Humm found this Article. Seems it might be the precurser to coraline but not really coraline algae.

'' One green algae that does not need to be introduced is called. Remember, any coralline algae must be introduced to the tank, it will not grow on its own, this included green coralline algae. This type of green looking algae can appear almost neon in color. It is fast growing, and can coat your rocks in a matter of a week. This is usually the time where you may want to freak out, but don’t. This green algae is actually a precursor to coralline algae. It can be even taken as a sign that your tank is well on it’s way to being a healthy, mature, and fully cycled reef tank. This alga will 100% of the time, be replaced by actual coralline algae in time. People often confuse this alga for green coralline algae, it is not though. Green coralline algae is very slow glowing. It will never propagate over an entire reef tank like your common species of coralline. People often give misadvise, stating that if you have to scrape it, or if it can’t be removed with your finger then it must be green coralline algae. This is not at all accurate. This green algae will not turn to coralline algae either, it will be replaced and grown over by coralline, this will only happen though once your tanks water quality is up to par. If your water parameters fluctuate, your nitrates are high, or your flow is low then it can take up to 1 year to be replaced. Normally if everything looks good then the average timeframe will be 2-4 months for this phase of your tanks cycle. This is the last phase befor your aquarium officially graduated to a “mature tank”

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looks lik coraline but doesn’t turn into coraline. More of a surface pigment from lighting and makes a good beginning food source for CUC.

 

[Bret Brinkmann]

Can post a link to the article?

 

[Reesj]

Can post a link to the article?

I was searching for green coraline algae and came across it

Coralline Algae - The Ultimate Guide | ARC Reef

Everything you need to know about red, pink, purple, and green coralline algae. Learn the different saltwater coralline algae types, and how to grow it fast

arcreef.com