Coraline growth

[michindi]

Does anybody let the purple coraline grow on the back side of the tank or do you scrape it off?

 

[EdKruzel]

Let it grow, it's beneficial to the tank and a good tell-tale sign of water conditions.

Plus it looks good,
Ed

 

[RLMainers]

We let ours grows on the back and half-way on each end. I think it looks more natural when you let it grow.

 

[michindi]

Thanks guys. I have alot of the stuff and I was looking some other tanks on here and the ones that I saw dont have any growing on the glass.

 

[jmicky41]

I'd say to scrape it off. To me a tank with pink walls looks unnatural and unkept. But if you like it, let it grow. To each his own.

 

[water`bug]

I clean mine every other day so it won't build up. I like the clean look.. Whatever trips your "trigger."

 

[Mattw2190]

If its growing on its own then it obviously is natural lol

 

[fishaholic911]

Keep it clean if you want natural go scuba diving

 

[RLMainers]

We also use coraline as an indicator of water conditions. We know if it stops growing it's time to figure out why.

 

[jda]

I perfer coraline that seeing everybody's cords and junk through the back of the tank. I don't understand why all tanks don't come with painted backgrounds.

I let the coraline grow because my snails need something to eat.

 

[fishaholic911]

You can paint the back very easy. I painted my black with spray paint and it has held up for 2 years now. looks good!!!!!

 

[EdKruzel]

Many companies offer painted tanks, however with generic sales, the distibutor allows you to decide which (or both) sides are to be displayed.

Coralline algae is a hard calcareous substance that snails do not eat; limpets (to a small degree) and urchins have the ability to snack on it.

Ed

 

[jda]

I can assure you that astreas will eat coralline. I don't have other sorts of algae, so they go to the glass and eat it clean in some places. They won't eat it if there is "easy picking" algae laying around.

 

[EdKruzel]

jda,
You should record this activity if they are really astrea, as that species of snail does not have the proper equipment to eat a hard calcareous based algae.

More than likely the minute amount of diatoms and other filamentous algae in your tank is being eaten off the coralline and the astrea snails are accidentally dislodging and knocking off some of the coralline.

Ed

 

[jda]

That is possible. All that I know is that there is significantly less algae on the glass when they get to it. I just figured that they ate it after all of the "easy pickings" algae was gone.

I don't have any hermits or urchins, so I wonder what is happening to it. I hardly care, since there is so much of it, but I am curious.

 

[EdKruzel]

I'll assume this is your 90 gallon SPS tank?
If so it is a viable concern if you can notice coralline receding or easily flaking off the glass.

Stony corals and even soft corals to a small extent utilize and deplete calcium from the water.
If this noticeable recession occurs it means that either phosphates are too high and blocking the absorption of calcium, the calcium is being used faster than you are replacing it, and/or finally that you add too much calcium and it (corals and coralline) cannot utilize it properly.

Your calcium level should be between 420-460ppm as optimal although many find a slight variation acceptable.

Ed