coral and algae

[wondermidget]

I got some liverock that has some kind of coral on it and after I put it in the tank I noticed that it has some bubble algae on it. My question is, if I take the rock out to clean the algae off will the coral survive? and how long can it survive out of the tank? Speaking of algae almost the entire sand has become covered with brown stuff, is it some kind of algae?

 

[indydog1]

depending on the coral, it will be fine being out long enough to clean the rock. if you are worried, fill up a 5gal bucket with water to use to keep the rock wet while you scrub it clean.

 

[wondermidget]

Thank you. I don't know what kind of coral it is, here is a pic if anyone knows what it is please let me know.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/194075CORAL.jpg

 

[sassafrass]

It looks like kenya tree to me sometimes called colt coral It is quite hardy. It is always a good idea to find out what kind of coral you are getting before you get it so you know that you can provide for it's needs.
Regards , Lee

 

[Mariner]

You can often just pick off bubble algae in the tank...like picking grapes. Make sure you don't pop it, because that will allow algae spores (seeds) to spread throughout your tank. A little bubble algae won't hurt anything, but it can become a plague if not managed. Emerald crabs will sometomes eat bubble algae.
The brown stuff on your sand is likely diatoms, which are not a true algae, but we usually call it algae anyway. It's common in new tanks. Snails will eat it. Later, other algae and bacteria will become more prominent -- hair algae, cyano, and hopefully coraline.
HTH,
Mariner

 

[jeweldamsel]

Cerith snails, baby queen conches, and tuxedo urchins can do a great job in cleaning the hair algae and cyano. They can stir the sand pretty good as well.

 

[wfuavenger]

it is a taro tree coral, if you dip it every now and then it will be fine.

 

[wondermidget]

Thank you guys all so much. Sassafrass, I didn't buy it, it came on my LR, I didn't even notice it untill I got home but thank you for the words of wisdom. That is why I wanted to know what it was so that I could find out how to take care of it Mariner, I think the brown stuff maybe cyano from what I've read because I don't have anything in the tank but what came on the LR, thank you too.