Fiji Rock turnin bright orange

[OceanRidge]

My fiji rock has spots on it that are bright orange/red
Is this algae, and if so is it unhealthy?
Its not spotty so much, but rather blotches

 

[R33f3r]

Sounds like coralline algae which is good. Can you scrape it of easily?

 

[OceanRidge]

yeah, kinda comes off with a toothbrush

 

[DRZL-sauras]

you sure its not a sponge?

 

[kmk2307]

OceanRidge,

If you could post a picture that would be great. I have heard a lot of discussion about orange coralline algae here at RC but none of the books I have on algae show any crustose orange algae of any kind. Could it be a coral, sponge, or other misc. invert like a foraminiferan?

Kevin

 

[neuroracer]

I'd definitely love to see this as well. I wish I could keep the bright oranges and pinks and reds on new rock to stay forever, but it all turns dark pink and dark purple after a while. (still nice though )

 

[Victoria]

Is this the alge you are talking about?

Is this the alge you are talking about?

I was wondering the same thing. I have it growing all over my tank. I enjoy it very much.

victoria

 

[weimluv1]

is anyone sure it isn't dinoflagellates taking over?

 

[neuroracer]

:eek2: :eek1: :eek2: :eek1:
I wish I had that orange, Victoria. Very nice.

 

[Victoria]

thank you neuroracer! I like where it is turning florecent green. I have shade of red, orange, green. Do you know the name of it?
Victoria

 

[delv]

Are the spots all in areas hit by light? How old is the rock? I've seen something similar...it's usually due to over illumination. The purples will come back if that's what it is.

d.

 

[Victoria]

I would not say they are in super bright light. It's at the bottom of the tank, but still in the light. I don't think it is the same type as the purples. As I have the pink and purples right along side and on the same rock. Sometime the scarlet hermit crabs eat it. Where they scrap it off it grow back the same color(red , orange, green). I'm pretty sure its a type of coraline. But if anybody knows the name of it, I'd like to know.
Victoria

 

[kmk2307]

Victoria,

Could you post more pictures of the algae? Apparently there are true corallinalean red algae that have an orange and green appearance. I'm going to run this picture by a phycologist here at my school and see what she thinks.

Kevin

 

[Victoria]

Heres anothe shot hope this help to id this.

victoria

 

[kmk2307]

Victoria,
That stuff is beautiful. If you don't mind my trying to pump you for information... What is your water chemistry like? What kind of lighting do you use? Do you know where the rock(s) it is growing on came from?

OceanRidge,
Do you have any pictures of your algae that you can post?

Thanks!
Kevin

 

[Victoria]

Well let me see???
DKH 10.5
Ca 440
ph 8.0-8.4
Nitrate 0
po2 0
I use T-5's 8 bulbs- 4 aquablue, 4 actinics
I got the rock from a LFS out of Reno but that was 2.5 years ago, don't remember where they got it?
All the orange and red and green algea is in a shaded area or at the bottom of the tank.
Victoria

 

[R33f3r]

That is nice and different looking coralline. I have some sun burnt orange, but not that cool lime green color

I too run all T5's in my 75 and mainly get red, orange, and purple
coralline.