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Aquaman101
07/19/2010, 06:43 PM
Can purple coralline algae grow on sand?

I've had cyanobacteria in my tank before and it was a deep red color.

When on the sand the cyanobacteria was almost like a layer of carpet.

The stuff growing on my sand now is purple and it's in single dots..not really a layer covering the sand.
Gary Majchrzak
07/19/2010, 06:48 PM
coralline algae can grow on sand particles
danno23
07/19/2010, 07:36 PM
It is possible, although fairly uncommon.
Eel Freak
07/19/2010, 08:15 PM
If you have some coarser grade sand it will. I have Oolite in one of my tanks and it doesn't grow, but in my other where I have far coarser sand it has begun to grow profusely.
chris1017
07/20/2010, 03:23 PM
Aquaman, I am having the same issue. I fought cyno for a while but now I have exactly what you are describing. I figured it was coraline but also was not sure.


chris
Allmost
07/20/2010, 03:26 PM
has ure sand gone hard ? touch it to find out.

part of my sand has gone cement like many months ago due to high CA and now coralline is growing on it. I dont really mind it, as its not algea looking, its just colorfull lol
Aquaman101
07/20/2010, 03:28 PM
has ure sand gone hard ? touch it to find out.

part of my sand has gone cement like many months ago due to high CA and now coralline is growing on it. I dont really mind it, as its not algea looking, its just colorfull lol

Nope, it's not hard. There isn't much water flow in the area it's growing in though. If I point a powerhead at it, it disperses pretty easy.
Allmost
07/20/2010, 03:45 PM
by disperse, do you mean solid purple particles ?

coraline is solid and hard. anything else or if it breaks apart its not caco3
Aquaman101
07/20/2010, 03:47 PM
I should clarify, it doesn't break apart...it kinda rolls up and has sand particles stuck to it. It doesn't disappear into the water column
Allmost
07/20/2010, 03:49 PM
then sounds like algea my friend.

coralline is solid sand bonded together.

imagine purple sand mixed with glue to make a sheet. it wont roll it would break.

hope this helps
Aquaman101
07/20/2010, 03:52 PM
then sounds like algea my friend.

coralline is solid sand bonded together.

imagine purple sand mixed with glue to make a sheet. it wont roll it would break.

hope this helps

Son of a biscuit! :uzi: algae

:)