Coralline algae?

[PeTe PoLyP]

I'm not really sure which forum to post this in, so I just stuck it in here. I have never seen anything like this before in an aquarium. I have seen something similar on some uncured live rock in the past. This stuff has started to encrust several differnt places around the tank. It starts off just red, and the centers are turning a green/yellow after a while. Is this a form of coralline?

 

[Reefmedic79]

Could be, does it rub off easily?

 

[PeTe PoLyP]

I rubbed on some with my finger, no it does not come off. It feels slick, and it will come off if I scrape it with my fingernail. It does not come off in chunks like the pink coralline. I have attached a picture of the back of the tank, I have lots of coralline.

 

[PeTe PoLyP]

Does anyone else have any growth that resembles this?

 

[AdamSabina]

Beats me but it look kinda cool in photos.


Does it feel like its calcified like a coral or soft and leathery like a spong or soft coral?

 

[PeTe PoLyP]

That's a great question, and one I should have asked myself. It does not really seem like calcified. It is hard and slick, not really sponge like. When I have scraped some off its not like the pink calcified coralline that I'm constantly scraping from the glass. It seems to dissolve in the water. Of course the pictures don't do it justice, it's much better to look at in person. The no3 and po4 are both undetectable

 

[ninja66999]

prolly jus me... but it looks like a war coral lol

 

[PeTe PoLyP]

Haha, that would be nice! Unfortunately its not. I actually have a small frag of war coral. This stuff does not have any polyps. Its not growing upwards, so I'm pretty sure it's not a sponge. Its growing like an algae, stays flat and slowly spreads. I have probably a dozen spots around the tank where its growing.

 

[AdamSabina]

Haha, that would be nice! Unfortunately its not. I actually have a small frag of war coral. This stuff does not have any polyps. Its not growing upwards, so I'm pretty sure it's not a sponge. Its growing like an algae, stays flat and slowly spreads. I have probably a dozen spots around the tank where its growing.

So weird!?!? Keep us up to date on what you find.

 

[Cdiggy]

I think I have the same stuff growing on my rocks although mine doesn't turn green or yellow. It did get darker though which I thought might be from too much light. Most of mine seems to like shadier parts of the tank. My rock is about 6 months old and came from Manado. Just curious, where did you get yours from?

 

[PeTe PoLyP]

I forget what kind of rock it is.... I do know its from Walt Smith. I do have very intense light, 6 t5 over 29 gallon tank. This stuff doesn't seem to be growing in the shade though. Some of it is growing about 6" from the top.

 

[Cdiggy]

Right on. My light setup is the same 6 t5 over a 58g though. Mine seems to be turning back to the maroon color also. I figured it took a while go get used to the new t5's. I also have this green coralline that's been growing that I never saw before.

 

[ryeguyy84]

http://www.reefcleaners.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=60

Lobophora... Does it look like that?

 

[Cdiggy]

Here is a pic of mine. I think it is the same stuff. Avert your eyes from my nemesis....

.... the dreaded bubble algae... the bane of my existence!

 

[PeTe PoLyP]

I'm pretty sure it's not lobophora. My brother has a ton of it in his tank, and its not the same.