Question about coraline

UWUALineman · 02/15/2009, 10:30 AM

How does it start out as far as color?
I have had problems with what I believe to be brown diatoms. I chose to leave some of it on the back glass due to having a bit of trouble gaining access to it to clean it. I have since noticed it is taking on the color of coraline, and turing into a very light purple. Is this how coraline starts? I am feeling very fortunate to have a young tank that is coming to life in such its early stages. I am hoping it is. Thanks for any help

kfisc · 02/15/2009, 10:47 AM

It can take the term of your cycle to begin; when parameters are stable and flow is good, enough light but not too much. From what you're describing it sounds as if you're beginning to get coraline growth. It starts in very small patches and then spreads.

saltkreep88 · 02/15/2009, 10:48 AM

Is it hard or slimy? If it is purple pink in color and is hard it is coralline algae. Congrats i remember when my tank was maturing the way your is, its fun to watch it goes though its changes.

UWUALineman · 02/15/2009, 01:48 PM

Some of the brown is kind of slimiy I guess. It is very easy to remove with the magfloat. Its confusing when there is the brown stuff on the glass one day, a few days later the brown stuff is starting to turn to a pink/purple color. Normal coraline growth process? Luck?

saltkreep88 · 02/15/2009, 02:33 PM

If its brown comes off almost like powder with very little effort it is diatoms, coralline algae it difficult to remove. The coralline could be overtaking it tho. There is also red slime algae, look up some pics to determine what you have.

02/15/2009, 10:30 AM	#1
UWUALineman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 704	Question about coraline How does it start out as far as color? I have had problems with what I believe to be brown diatoms. I chose to leave some of it on the back glass due to having a bit of trouble gaining access to it to clean it. I have since noticed it is taking on the color of coraline, and turing into a very light purple. Is this how coraline starts? I am feeling very fortunate to have a young tank that is coming to life in such its early stages. I am hoping it is. Thanks for any help

02/15/2009, 10:47 AM	#2
kfisc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,020	It can take the term of your cycle to begin; when parameters are stable and flow is good, enough light but not too much. From what you're describing it sounds as if you're beginning to get coraline growth. It starts in very small patches and then spreads.

02/15/2009, 10:48 AM	#3
saltkreep88 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 127	Is it hard or slimy? If it is purple pink in color and is hard it is coralline algae. Congrats i remember when my tank was maturing the way your is, its fun to watch it goes though its changes.

02/15/2009, 01:48 PM	#4
UWUALineman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 704	Some of the brown is kind of slimiy I guess. It is very easy to remove with the magfloat. Its confusing when there is the brown stuff on the glass one day, a few days later the brown stuff is starting to turn to a pink/purple color. Normal coraline growth process? Luck?

02/15/2009, 02:33 PM	#5
saltkreep88 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 127	If its brown comes off almost like powder with very little effort it is diatoms, coralline algae it difficult to remove. The coralline could be overtaking it tho. There is also red slime algae, look up some pics to determine what you have.