Algae or Coralline

[Kebabian]

See the picture below. Spots of purple and bright green.... What is it all? I'm assuming that the purple is coralline and the bright green is algae growing, but not sure. It's a new tank, four weeks old. Cycle finished. One Blue Sapphire Damsel.

<a href="http://imgur.com/wJKUPl7"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/wJKUPl7l.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com"/></a>

[Kebabian]

If the green is algae, is it time for a cleaning crew?

[reeferstace]

Coralline is algae. It's a calcareous one. It is doubtful that you have coralline algae at only 4 weeks. If the purple scrapes off easily or can easily be blown off it is likely cyanobacteria.

I cannot see your photo. I get the big red X.

If you have 0 ammonia and nitrites you can begin adding a CUC.

[Kebabian]

Can you see the picture now?

[aujosh84]

Important to note that coralline comes in many different flavors, including green. I don't think 4 weeks is too soon to be seeing it, if your parameters are in the zone that makes it happy it will grow like crazy.

That being said, I can't tell from the picture if that's some form of macro algae or coralline. Is it hard and crusty or fuzzy?

[Kebabian]

It looks a little "fuzzy"... Came home today and there is a ton of what appears to be brown algae on the sand and the rock now. I'm starting to really worry..... Help?

<a href="http://imgur.com/QWAJkSC"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/QWAJkSCl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com"/></a>

[reeferstace]

The brown stuff, does it look like a rust-colored light dusting? If so, it's probably a diatom bloom. This is typical for newly set-up aquaria. The diatoms will subside in a week or so. They are pretty much harmless.

[Kebabian]

Yes. Looks like rust colored. Literally appeared today in the last 10 hours. a toothbrush to a corner of the rock too off the brown easily and the green was a little tougher. I just tested a corner. Should I leave everything as is? Tested the water and PH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate look fine! I have a cleanup crew arriving tomorrow. Safe to add or not?

[wilsonline]

this is normal. be patience