Green coraline algea mixed with pink

[315wall]

I've been getting spots of green along with pink, the pink appears to be lower on the wall, while the greenish spots are located near the top of the tank wall. Does anyone know why this occurs?

 

[cristata.reef]

Pics would be helpful

 

[315wall]

 

[cristata.reef]

Ok looks like you did get the more uncommon green coralline algae (sorry I've seen several people who though GFA was green coralline). I would think that they are different species considering their respective growth forms, which might explain their positioning in the tank

 

[dkevink]

I am getting the same green coraline algae in one tank. Could lighting be the cause? I have ai sols on one tank, nice pink coraline algae, I have the cheap china box lights on other tank, looking to buy a radion xr30 now, and I am only getting the green crusty coraline, no pink.

 

[taricha]

Following. I get both. No idea what determines which one I get where.
May try to get microscope scrapings of each.

 

[taricha]

Ok, got scrapings of this...

and put them under microscope.
Definitely the green is not just "sick coralline". Very different structure.

closer shot....

and here's what the growing edge looks like...

 

[Dennis Cartier]

This is going to be related to the amount of light the growing surfaces present. Based on your observation that the pink grows lower down on the glass, and the green grows higher up, the green most likely has a different affinity for higher PAR, then the pink. Just today I was looking in my Rubbermaid barrel fuge, and noticed that I also have 2 different greens and pink/purple growing in there. The basket strainer screwed into the side overflow, casts a shadow on the side of the barrel below it. The shadow is filled with coralline patches (all greens).

In your case, higher up on the glass may be lower PAR depending on how you have your lights mounted and how much light strikes the glass directly or is more focused to the tank bottom, avoiding directly illuminating the glass.

Dennis

 

[taricha]

One more thing. Does everyone else's green coralline algae scrape off more easily than the purple / pink? Or that just me?

 

[LadyMac]

How can you tell the difference visually between the green coralline and the other nuisance algae? I’ve got some green growing that’s showing as spots and very difficult to remove on my glass. I’m sure it’s not coralline but would like to be certain.

 

[Dennis Cartier]

How can you tell the difference visually between the green coralline and the other nuisance algae? I’ve got some green growing that’s showing as spots and very difficult to remove on my glass. I’m sure it’s not coralline but would like to be certain.

The only way to do it visually is to observe the growth pattern. Coralline tends to grow in a disc and have a noticeably raised profile. Far easier just to touch it with a finger (if it is within reach). Coralline will be slightly rough and not slimy like surface algae would be. It feels like touching cement.

Dennis

 

[LadyMac]

The only way to do it visually is to observe the growth pattern. Coralline tends to grow in a disc and have a noticeably raised profile. Far easier just to touch it with a finger (if it is within reach). Coralline will be slightly rough and not slimy like surface algae would be. It feels like touching cement.

Dennis

Great to know, thank you!