Purple coraline algae

[Damarferg]

When you have purple coraline algae on the rocks is this good or bad

 

[Mebbid]

Good, it is usually an indicator of good tank health. Although it should start growing on the glass soon and if you don't like the look of it you will have some extra maintenance on your hands.

 

[dmolavi]

I need to get some going in my FOWLR...what's the easiest way to introduce it? I don't want to risk nasty critters on rock, though...

 

[Mebbid]

I need to get some going in my FOWLR...what's the easiest way to introduce it? I don't want to risk nasty critters on rock, though...

I would scrape some off of the side of an established tank.

 

[dmolavi]

how quickly does it spread? i know it isn't overnight...

 

[Mebbid]

I imagine it completely depends on everyone's own system. But I know in mine that after I found my first 2 pencil eraser sized spots on my glass it has spread to 30 - 40 similarly sized or larger spots all over my glass in a little over a month. Currently my reef is about 3.5 months old.

 

[dmolavi]

cool. i'm gonna try to pick up a little chunk o' rock with it this weekend. thanks for the info.

 

[Gregcoyote]

It will spontaneously grow if you have any live rock. Needs calcium and patience, then it becomes a true pain as it has to be chiseled off the glass.