Coraline algae

[James9829]

My tank has been up and running since May 1st of this year. I have started to see Coraline algae growing on plastic on my back wall some patches as large as dimes and quarters. My question is I don't see any on the rocks yet. How long before I should start seeing some on the rocks? Thanks

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!! The fact that you have coralline anywhere is a good sign that your tank is maturing.

 

[SPR1968]

It can take a while and then you can start scraping it off everything! Lol

And welcome!

 

[Alexraptor]

Depends a bit too on what you have in the tank. If you have a very aggressive cleaning crew, like hermit crabs, it may never get a chance to settle/develop.

 

[calhoun3186]

Depends a bit too on what you have in the tank. If you have a very aggressive cleaning crew, like hermit crabs, it may never get a chance to settle/develop.

I had no clue that hermits ate coraline algae. May be why I dont have any. My tank is probably 6 months old.

 

[Pickle_soup]

By plastic, you mean overflow boxes? I strongly recommend being on top of that Coraline. Getting it off acrylic without putting scratches is very difficult. I would not add anything that would accelerate its growth.

 

[zheka757]

Welcome to R2R forum

 

[00W]

Welcome Welcome to R2R!

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Welcome To The Reef!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[vetteguy53081]

My tank has been up and running since May 1st of this year. I have started to see Coraline algae growing on plastic on my back wall some patches as large as dimes and quarters. My question is I don't see any on the rocks yet. How long before I should start seeing some on the rocks? Thanks

Coralline growth is progressive and a lot will depend on maintaining stable conditions for it. The three essentials are Temperature of 78-79, steady PH of 8.2-8.4 and Moderate to medium lighting

 

[zheka757]

Pretty soon you'll be hating coralline algae. Lol. It will grow Everywhere. Even in spaces you don't want it

 

[Alexraptor]

I had no clue that hermits ate coraline algae. May be why I dont have any. My tank is probably 6 months old.

I don't think it's as much that they actually eat coraline, but rather constantly picking away at the rock surfaces and not giving the coraline spores a chance to settle and establish themselves.

Although that said, I did once have a large Yellow Hairy Hermit that literally stripped rocks with mature growth, completely bare.

 

[Nano_Man]

 

[w8lifts]

Everywhere but the rocks for about 6 months for me bottom was a full sheet of it, after about 7 months it took off on the rocks like crazy

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here! It’s a good snack for my tuxedo urchin when other types of algae are sparse.

 

[1112-425XL]

 

[MDAquatics]

Welcome! It just takes time, unfortunately cant put a timeline on it. It will take off eventually.

 

[Buckster]

Hello and Welcome to R2R! I notice my Coraline on the back of the tank and the wave makers. It could be on the rocks but a lot is covered with corals

 

[56longroof]

Welcome to R2R.