Cyano or Coraline???

Since I got my new lights I have noticed this purple stuff growing under my sand, and on all the shells in my tank. My snails are all now purple and so are my hermits. I like the way it looks but my tank is only two months old and I have been told that its practically unheard of in such a new tank to grow coraline. When I cycled my tank I got my rock from lfs and they said it hadnt been cured because it just came in that day, 3 of the pieces were completely covered in coraline. From what ive looked up it looks a lot like coraline but I just want to rule out the possibility of Cyano. What does it look like to you guys? Thanks for your opinions.


Also, in the last picture there is a rock that used to be a normal looking rock and for some reason turned completely green, its the only green rock in the tank and the only form of algae but it isnt slimy and it doesnt come off. Almost like a green stain. Any idea whats wrong with it??

 

under the sand is cyano, you can telll because corailline grows in circular paterns, usually in the light but the rocks and shells could be corailline, i dont see why not. hard to tell without a pic.

 

You dont see all 4 pictures? Wonder if anyone else can, I posted them and it shows them to me. hmmm

 

Looks like cyano to me, especially since it's growing under the sand line.

All 4 images are viewable to me.

 

ohh i didnt see the last one, yeah thats corailline, but also looks like the begginning of GHA.

 

So should I toss the rock??

 

No, it is totally normal to have some algae growth in a new tank. You just need to watch your nitrates and phosphates. Do not over feed as well. Just let it run it's coarse. hopefully you will keep on good qaulity water changes, and this should keep it in check to a point.

 

Why toss the rock? Just take it out and scrub off the algae with a clean toothbrush or scrub brush, using no chemicals or cleaning agents. Then rinse it in RO/DI water or tank water that you have removed from your tank.

Good luck,

Jim