New to saltwater.. Coralline algae question.

cMantisShrimp · 02/03/2015, 04:40 AM

My tank has been cycling for 2 weeks now, with live sand, and live rock. I'm currently experiencing the nitrite spike. I got in from work today and checked out my tank and noticed some pink spots on my live rock. I was wondering if it is coralline algae.

coffee_snob · 02/03/2015, 06:40 AM

No.
I have the same on my lr, and was told it is Foraminiferans.

JammyBirch · 02/03/2015, 07:44 AM

Coralline algae is flat, you can see remains of coralline algae in the picture, it's the smooth white patches that look like glue on your rocks. This was probably coralline algae at one point that has since died and left all of the calcium behind.

Those pink things are cool looking though.

cloak · 02/03/2015, 01:24 PM

+1 on Foraminiferans

cMantisShrimp · 02/03/2015, 04:43 PM

Should I try and scrape it off while I can? Or just let it grow? It is actually starting to pop up in little spots on all over my live rock. I can see bigger clusters inside the holes of my rock. Is this a sign of a healthy aquarium?

cloak · 02/03/2015, 05:25 PM

Just leave them alone. (harmless)

JoelA7 · 02/04/2015, 12:29 AM

I don't think that they are foraminiferins.

See: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/rs/

I think they might be the base of vermetid snails which I consider a scourge

cloak · 02/04/2015, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cMantisShrimp

My tank has been cycling for 2 weeks now, with live sand, and live rock. I'm currently experiencing the nitrite spike. I got in from work today and checked out my tank and noticed some pink spots on my live rock. I was wondering if it is coralline algae.

Has anything ever moved or come out of those pink spots? A slimy like net perhaps? If those are indeed Vermetid snails like mentioned above it should be pretty easy to tell.

Here's a link just for reference.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php

CoralOfDuty · 02/04/2015, 03:31 PM

i have those too but they are hard and are part of the rock. was wondering what they were also.

cMantisShrimp · 02/04/2015, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloak

Has anything ever moved or come out of those pink spots? A slimy like net perhaps? If those are indeed Vermetid snails like mentioned above it should be pretty easy to tell.

Here's a link just for reference.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php

I haven't seen anything come out of them. Here is a pic of a bigger cluster. Sorry the pic isn't great.

cMantisShrimp · 02/04/2015, 05:35 PM

Here is a pic of a bigger cluster. It's starting to take over my live rock pretty quick. Sorry the photo uploader is having troubles from my phone.

02/03/2015, 06:40 AM	#2
coffee_snob Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 296	No. I have the same on my lr, and was told it is Foraminiferans. __________________ Webcam: http://myreeftank.weebly.com/

02/03/2015, 07:44 AM	#3
JammyBirch Aquaria Engineering Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,182	Coralline algae is flat, you can see remains of coralline algae in the picture, it's the smooth white patches that look like glue on your rocks. This was probably coralline algae at one point that has since died and left all of the calcium behind. Those pink things are cool looking though. __________________ 25g cube, split 10g sump with refugium, Jebao RW4, reefbreeder value Livestock adds: Osc Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Cherub Angel, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Serpent Brittle Star Current Tank Info: 25 gallon cube

02/04/2015, 12:29 AM	#7
JoelA7 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,056	I don't think that they are foraminiferins. See: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/rs/ I think they might be the base of vermetid snails which I consider a scourge __________________ New 48x24x26.25 w Precision Marine R30 sump, Vertex Omega 150 skimmer, 2@Vertex 1.5L reactors for carbon & phosban, GEO Ca reactor w Aquarium Plants regulator. 2 MP40's 2@Radions. #120 live rock & #12

02/03/2015, 01:24 PM	#4
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	+1 on Foraminiferans

02/03/2015, 04:43 PM	#5
cMantisShrimp Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 8	Should I try and scrape it off while I can? Or just let it grow? It is actually starting to pop up in little spots on all over my live rock. I can see bigger clusters inside the holes of my rock. Is this a sign of a healthy aquarium?

02/03/2015, 05:25 PM	#6
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Just leave them alone. (harmless)

02/04/2015, 03:31 PM	#9
CoralOfDuty Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Suffolk County NY Posts: 110	i have those too but they are hard and are part of the rock. was wondering what they were also.