What kind of growth is this?

[Lizzy & Me]

I have researched red algae and coraline algae and cant seem to identify what is happening to my rock. The brown algae has stopped growing but I am not cretain if this is the start of red algae or not. The crabs seem to love it.

This LR was used in an unlit sump prior to it going in the main tank and had zero growth on it. I have had it up and running for 4 weeks. Can someone tell me what I should be searching for? Thanks as always. Reefs.org seems to be a very newbie friendly site!

Jack

 

[Anonymous]

Looks like a species of pink coralline algae.

mario

 

[Lizzy & Me]

Wow...that would be exciting. I thought coraline had to be put in the tank? I have not added anything that I thought would seed it. I have added a bag of Carib Sea sand (dry) and some calurpia from the LFS. There were coralines in their sump. Perhaps it came in on that? I know we did find a feather duster in the sump!

 

[trido]

Looks like a species of pink coralline algae.

mario

Just to be argumentive. I second that!! :lol:

 

[Lizzy & Me]

Yes! On the advice of Bealsbob, I attempted to scrub it off and it didn't budge. I am uncertain of how it got in the tank as I have only added some macro algae to the fuge. There was certainly no growth on this rock 3 weeks ago with the exception of some brown algae.

 

[Anonymous]

It could have been introduced at any time via spores, so if you've put anything new in the tank it could have been in the water it came in or on the surface. You scrubbing the rock disperses bits and pieces and encourages it to spread. That's an easy way to get more colonies in your tank, scrap existing ones with a sharp edged tool.

 

[TheJGMProject]

Coraline You're on the right track :wink: