Purple Coralline Algae - Growth only on some parts

[RaymondL]

In my 10 month old tank, purple coralline algae is growing very well on the frag plugs, and even on my torch base, but there is none to be found on any of the rocks. I don't get it.

Perhaps someone can better explain what's happening here.

Thanks

 

[The_Paradox]

Is it growing off the plugs and onto the rocks? My guess is plugs and coral already had coralline on them. Give it time and you will be cussing about coralline everywhere.

 

[RaymondL]

Is it growing off the plugs and onto the rocks? My guess is plugs and coral already had coralline on them. Give it time and you will be cussing about coralline everywhere.

Nope, they appear to be only growing on the plugs, and on the shells of my snails - none to be seen on the rocks. The rocks are coated with green algae at the moment, so hoping the coralline will take over.

 

[fishface NJ]

It will grow easier on plastic and later on your rocks

 

[The_Paradox]

Nope, they appear to be only growing on the plugs, and on the shells of my snails - none to be seen on the rocks. The rocks are coated with green algae at the moment, so hoping the coralline will take over.

Depending on type of algae you may need to take care of it first. What do you keep calcium, pH, and alkalinity at?

 

[Reefer Matt]

Coraline won't grow on the rocks if another algae is already there, in my experience. But I wouldn't worry about it, as others have said, coraline will grow everywhere soon. All part of tank maturity, which takes a while.

 

[RandyL]

I agree with keeping an eye on your parameters and letting nature take its course. Adequate circulation and lighting along with healthy parameters will eventually give you the coralline growth you’re looking for.

 

[Doctorgori]

It will grow easier on plastic and later on your rocks

Yup, I think others have noticed this also …
I’ve said this before; you can consider the tanks as “arrived” when you are scraping the pink specks off the glass as a daily routine…

 

[Lavey29]

It will grow easier on plastic and later on your rocks

Exactly. It grows on things like powerheads long before the rocks typically.