Coraline algae question

[beardedman11]

So, I'm breaking down my bigger tank to upgrade to a larger tank and I'm setting up a temp tank for a few corals and fish while upgrading. Question I've got is there any way to remove some of this purple coraline off the rocks safely or just keep it as a sign of a good tank maturing? TIA

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Those are two different questions, so here are two different answers :
1. If your stock list won't contraindicate it, get a Pencil Urchin. Get several if your tank size and algae growth will bear it. They will eat it down to bare rock.
2. It's a matter of preference. Many people, including me, like the look. I'd just leave it to do it's thing. I also like urchins, so I'd add probably add just one anyway.

 

[beardedman11]

Those are two different questions, so here are two different answers :
1. If your stock list won't contraindicate it, get a Pencil Urchin. Get several if your tank size and algae growth will bear it. They will eat it down to bare rock.
2. It's a matter of preference. Many people, including me, like the look. I'd just leave it to do it's thing. I also like urchins, so I'd add probably add just one anyway.

I like it to a point and when its the whole piece of rock looks weird and fake to me. lol I'll get a an urchin and see what he does. It'll be a 34g with pair of clowns and chromis.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I like it to a point and when its the whole piece of rock looks weird and fake to me. lol I'll get a an urchin and see what he does. It'll be a 34g with pair of clowns and chromis.

One should be plenty, then.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I like it to a point and when its the whole piece of rock looks weird and fake to me. lol I'll get a an urchin and see what he does. It'll be a 34g with pair of clowns and chromis.

This is the work of mine:

The white scars are what he left behind (bare rock).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I think coralline looks much better than bare rocks, and is also much less likely to grow pest algae.

 

[exnisstech]

This is the work of mine:

The white scars are what he left behind (bare rock).

That's been my experience with my pincushion urchins.

OP another option is to get some coral in the tank. Most of the rock in my SPS is covered with similar coraline (?) and coral have no trouble encrusting over it.

 

[beardedman11]

This is the work of mine:

The white scars are what he left behind (bare rock).

I've got a pincusion in the 90g now I'm trying to sell but he eats everything else besides the coraline. lol guess it could be worse and have some of the ugly algae everywhere.

 

[beardedman11]

I think coralline looks much better than bare rocks, and is also much less likely to grow pest algae.

Guess you're correct about the pest algae getting everywhere else on the rock.

 

[beardedman11]

That's been my experience with my pincushion urchins.

OP another option is to get some coral in the tank. Most of the rock in my SPS is covered with similar coraline (?) and coral have no trouble encrusting over it.

I was going the route of a frag tank but it got to be to tall for my liking for lights and stuff and so I decided i would rather have a display tank to look at then just a frag tank.

 

[slingfox]

As noted above, if you removed the coraline that leaves real estate for uglies to grow. If you really feel like removing the coraline you could likely use coarse sand paper.