Corraline Growth , what does it mean?

[dnwolf]

There's coralline algae growth on my live rocks and its taking over it . Just last week it was just a small patch of red and purple , now its all over the rock . I heard online that coralline algae growth indicates good water parameters , is that true ? What are the benefits / disadvantages of coralline algae ?

I also heard that they clog up the pores of live rocks , making it ineffective as a biological filtration oo

[erikokelf]

You need good water parameter with proper calcium level and such to get coraline and it helps in fighting off those unwanted algae when i grows.

[SunkistC]

Never seen Coralline algae grow at such exponential rate! Even if water parameter is good...

Can take a picture and show?

Previously I encountered one reefer who kept FOWLR, he told me his rocks are covered with Coralline algae, but

when i went to see his tank it's actually red slime algae

[dnwolf]

It doesnt scrub off easily when i use a toothbrush to brush over it . Also theres a lime green version , dk thats corraline algae or some other type of algae

[Quas111]

Lime green is normal algae. The purple one looks like coralline. Are you sure it grew all of a sudden or was it already there from before. One thing I noticed is that coralline from the sea has duller colors than coralline from reefers tanks

[ASHWIN]

Coraline is a good sign..Hmm Thats mighty fast growth...Your MG Must Be Very High ..Advantages,,It helps brighten the tank Disadvantages...sometimes clog out wavemakers,pumps, etc equips ,..but with montly cleaning coraline is your best friend..no dissadvantages..to coraline....looks cool!

[erikokelf]

Actually lime green can also be the initial stage of coralline algae. Just use a brush or finger to swipe across if it drops off easily its not coraline.

[dnwolf]

I used a toothbrush to swipe it off but it sticks haha

[dnwolf]

That was one of the few rocks i bought for the initial cycling process (the water quality initially was extremely bad ... Had bacteria bloom for days ) . It bleached out completely in the matter of days but after i place it right on top of my rock structure ( to create a cave like thing , recently ) It started to have coralline growth . Im currently dosing seachem complete twice a week

However , cyano and diatoms are forming on my sand bed . I do stir them up if they grow too much and remove some of it , however it springs right back . I'll be running GFO really soon haha