Coralline algae?

[Alexmcm81]

Can anyone help identify if this could be a form of coralline algae? Started off like the first photo but is now looking like it’s encrusting in the second photo. I haven’t tried to scrape it as I try to keep my hands out the tank as much as possible. Tank is 5 months old so would be really surprised if it was coralline but to me that’s what it looks like. It looks brown under the lights but then looks green with the lights off and a torch shining in

 

[blaxsun]

Coralline can also be green, yes.

 

[Alexmcm81]

Coralline can also be green, yes.

I would have thought my tank was a bit young for coralline. Don’t get me wrong, if that’s what it is I’ll be delighted. Just very surprising considering the only thing I’ve ever dosed is live phytoplankton

 

[Seansea]

Did you use live rock at all? My tank had corraline all over after 3 months so it doesnt take long if conditions are right. But to be honest with the little holes in it looks more like purple sponge. If didnt start with live rock may have hitchhiked on frag

 

[Alexmcm81]

Did you use live rock at all? My tank had corraline all over after 3 months so it doesnt take long if conditions are right. But to be honest with the little holes in it looks more like purple sponge. If didnt start with live rock may have hitchhiked on frag

No, set up the tank with dry Marco rock. Just tried to give it a light scrape with feeding tongs and it’s definitely crusting. Only thing I can think is it’s came from a turbo or a frag plug. Like that, just surprised it’s started this early, if it is indeed coralline

 

[Icryhard]

No, set up the tank with dry Marco rock. Just tried to give it a light scrape with feeding tongs and it’s definitely crusting. Only thing I can think is it’s came from a turbo or a frag plug. Like that, just surprised it’s started this early, if it is indeed coralline

Coralline starts as soon as the water values are stable and everything starts thriving properly from what I've understood.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

That looks like the very beginning of regular green algae to me

 

[Lavey29]

That looks like the very beginning of regular green algae to me

Me too

OP coralline typically starts on plastic parts first like powerheads long before rocks.

 

[Idech]

When I put new (dry) rocks in my tank, they get green coralline, then it turns purple. I think it’s green coralline too.

 

[Lavey29]

When I put new (dry) rocks in my tank, they get green coralline, then it turns purple. I think it’s green coralline too.

Mine went brown green then purple but the green part remained at the top facing the lights. Mainly visible at night with a flashlight.

 

[Alexmcm81]

When I put new (dry) rocks in my tank, they get green coralline, then it turns purple. I think it’s green coralline too.

How long does it normally take to turn purple? Is this possible considering the only thing I’ve dosed is phyto?

 

[Idech]

How long does it normally take to turn purple? Is this possible considering the only thing I’ve dosed is phyto?

Less than a month I would say, but my tank is 22 months old and full of coralline. In your case it might take a few months.

Coralline came in my tank when I started adding corals. It only takes a little bit on a frag plug to make it happen. It could also be from an invert’s shell. Did you add corals or inverts ?

 

[Lavey29]

How long does it normally take to turn purple? Is this possible considering the only thing I’ve dosed is phyto?

Coralline is typically introduced to the tank on snail shells or coral frags.

 

[Alexmcm81]

Less than a month I would say, but my tank is 22 months old and full of coralline. In your case it might take a few months.

Coralline came in my tank when I started adding corals. It only takes a little bit on a frag plug to make it happen. It could also be from an invert’s shell. Did you add corals or inverts ?

Both but thought I had to scrape it off whatever it was on. I guess it’s a waiting game to see if it goes purple or not

 

[kevgib67]

That’s just an early stage algae, mine started at about 3 months and went away on its own 6-8 weeks. Caused no harm.

 

[Ordovician_Reef]

Coralline can also be green, yes.

Never knew that?

 

[Ordovician_Reef]

Me too

OP coralline typically starts on plastic parts first like powerheads long before rocks.

This is my experience as well, maybe it is just more noticeable there?

 

[Alexmcm81]

That’s just an early stage algae, mine started at about 3 months and went away on its own 6-8 weeks. Caused no

It’s the dark crusting spots that I think may be some form of coralline. The green on my rock really took off after I started dosing phyto

 

[kevgib67]

It’s the dark crusting spots that I think may be some form of coralline. The green on my rock really took off after I started dosing phyto

I thought you were talking about the green, my bad. Fingers crossed a few months from now your rocks are pink and purple.