coraline algae

tom g · 09/17/2014, 07:35 AM

What is the best way to remove coraline algae off of rocks .I picked
up a tank that had rocks in it. The person used purple up to get coraline
now the tank is covered in it on rocks and glass ... I will have to use
elbow grease on the glass .what about the rocks shoukd
I just nuke everything .. some of the rock have small corals
and such but really dont like the look of the purple
any help would be appreciated.

Ratpack · 09/17/2014, 07:47 AM

You can soak them in vinegar. That is what I do when things get coated with coraline. However, I don't the purple up is the cause of the coraline, it just happens naturally in the tank. Oh, and vinegar will work on the tank as well.

Reef Bass · 09/17/2014, 07:52 AM

Purple Up is basically a calcium supplement, not a source of coraline algae per se.

I agree coraline can be unsightly on glass. A single edge razor blade will make super quick work of scraping it off. Much easier than a mag float algae scraper.

Coraline is a natural part of a reef, and IMHO not something to discourage, particularly if one is keeping stony corals (lps, sps). Like stony corals, it deposits a hard skeleton. If you can't grow coraline in your tank, you're unlikely to have success with stony corals.

Yes, it is possible to remove coraline from rocks with acid and / or vinegar, but as soon as you put them back in the tank, they're going to start being encrusted with coraline again, especially if your tank is healthy and your water quality is where it should be for lps / sps (capable of supporting hard corals).

If you're not fond of purple rocks, I suggest allowing something to encrust over them (zoanthids, montiporas, etc.).

Silvergryphon · 09/17/2014, 08:24 AM

Get some rock boring urchins, they eat coralline algae.

Preyou · 09/17/2014, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvergryphon

Get some rock boring urchins, they eat coralline algae.

+1 - I have two in a 110 and they mow down some coralline. They also pick up frags and move them around the tank.

Buzz1329 · 09/17/2014, 06:36 PM

I must have missed this, but why do you want to remove coralline algae from rocks? And why so badly that you're willing to sacrifice "small coral" on rocks to get rid of coralline?

Mike

Fibinotchi · 09/17/2014, 06:40 PM

I must be in a really foul mood today.

rburns24 · 09/17/2014, 09:07 PM

-
Hey, Tom. Remember those long spined sea urchins you picked up for me from Colin at Reef Botique?- I
still have them. I was going to return them Friday, but if you want me to hold onto them, I can. They'll
clean your rocks "down to the bone".
-

CoralsAddiction · 09/17/2014, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz1329

I must have missed this, but why do you want to remove coralline algae from rocks?

+1. Must be personal preference. Glass, I get it but rocks I would leave alone.

tom g · 09/17/2014, 09:26 PM

This tank was given to me to help someone out I in turn passed it on to someone .im just
trying to set up the tank so the newbie in the hobbie can see his tank
evolve ...actually tonite he did a great job cleaning the glass and
equipment .and from the pic he sent me the rocks dont look so
bad ....I will talk with him tommorow. And see where we will go
or which way he wants to go ..robert I will ask him as well .how
big are the urchins now rob....

rburns24 · 09/17/2014, 09:36 PM

-
Roughly about the same size, but my rock is white;- that's why I really want them gone soon.
-

09/17/2014, 07:35 AM	#1
tom g Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: toronto Posts: 218	coraline algae What is the best way to remove coraline algae off of rocks .I picked up a tank that had rocks in it. The person used purple up to get coraline now the tank is covered in it on rocks and glass ... I will have to use elbow grease on the glass .what about the rocks shoukd I just nuke everything .. some of the rock have small corals and such but really dont like the look of the purple any help would be appreciated.

09/17/2014, 07:52 AM	#3
Reef Bass colors and textures Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Petaluma CA Posts: 6,301	Purple Up is basically a calcium supplement, not a source of coraline algae per se. I agree coraline can be unsightly on glass. A single edge razor blade will make super quick work of scraping it off. Much easier than a mag float algae scraper. Coraline is a natural part of a reef, and IMHO not something to discourage, particularly if one is keeping stony corals (lps, sps). Like stony corals, it deposits a hard skeleton. If you can't grow coraline in your tank, you're unlikely to have success with stony corals. Yes, it is possible to remove coraline from rocks with acid and / or vinegar, but as soon as you put them back in the tank, they're going to start being encrusted with coraline again, especially if your tank is healthy and your water quality is where it should be for lps / sps (capable of supporting hard corals). If you're not fond of purple rocks, I suggest allowing something to encrust over them (zoanthids, montiporas, etc.). __________________ The human desires for instant gratification and immediate problem resolution cannot be satisfied with this hobby. Former president and co-president of the Wine Country Reefers. Current Tank Info: 60 gallons of Scleractinia and Zoanthidae lit w/ LEDs

09/17/2014, 06:40 PM	#7
Fibinotchi Upstanding Citizen Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 650	I must be in a really foul mood today. __________________ Accepting donations for fish and coral food. PM me.

09/17/2014, 09:26 PM	#10
tom g Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: toronto Posts: 218	reasoning This tank was given to me to help someone out I in turn passed it on to someone .im just trying to set up the tank so the newbie in the hobbie can see his tank evolve ...actually tonite he did a great job cleaning the glass and equipment .and from the pic he sent me the rocks dont look so bad ....I will talk with him tommorow. And see where we will go or which way he wants to go ..robert I will ask him as well .how big are the urchins now rob....

09/17/2014, 07:47 AM	#2
Ratpack Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 709	You can soak them in vinegar. That is what I do when things get coated with coraline. However, I don't the purple up is the cause of the coraline, it just happens naturally in the tank. Oh, and vinegar will work on the tank as well.

09/17/2014, 08:24 AM	#4
Silvergryphon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 540	Get some rock boring urchins, they eat coralline algae.

09/17/2014, 06:36 PM	#6
Buzz1329 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Staten Island Posts: 2,414	I must have missed this, but why do you want to remove coralline algae from rocks? And why so badly that you're willing to sacrifice "small coral" on rocks to get rid of coralline? Mike

09/17/2014, 09:07 PM	#8
rburns24 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 176	- Hey, Tom. Remember those long spined sea urchins you picked up for me from Colin at Reef Botique?- I still have them. I was going to return them Friday, but if you want me to hold onto them, I can. They'll clean your rocks "down to the bone". -

09/17/2014, 09:36 PM	#11
rburns24 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 176	- Roughly about the same size, but my rock is white;- that's why I really want them gone soon. -