red algae

[Bridges]

I have red hair algae going on my live rock and sand is that or bad. If not how do I get rid of it. And how do I get purple algae to grow

[SABOB]

Can you post a picture?Also include water parameters like salinity,ammonia,nitrites,nitrates,pH,&temperature will help with figuring out the problem and giving answers.Also how old is your setup and what livestock is in your tank?

[justahobby]

If it is red micro algae (and it doesn't sound like it is) it is preffered by most creatures and slow growing. When I introduced tonga rock I began growing red algae. It is very beautiful and from what I have read and witnessed it is preffered among forms marine life. Red algae grows in low lighted areas and doesn't get as long as the standard green micro algae.

Why I don't believe it is red algae is it normally won't grow on you sand bed because of the low lighting requirments. Mine grew on the side of the glass where rocks shadowed my PC lighting. Your's sounds more like cyano which will commonly grow on the sandbed and also grows rapidly. Macro algae looks more like a plant, micro looks like fine hair, and cyano is slime. above posted asked you parameters because you could very well be dealing with cyano which is referred to as red slime or algae (old mistaken identity.) A picture will help us tremendously even if its a camera phone picture.

[ErikH]

Check here and see if you can identify the algae.

http://www.melevsreef.com/id/algae.html

Oh and for coraline growth, you will need to read this;

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/calcalkmar.htm

Make sure to buy the proper test kits, such as Salifert. Keep a log, figure out your CA, Alk. and Mg demands. After that figure out what you need to supplement to maintain those levels on a daily dosing schedule, or as needed. The more corals you add, the higher the demand.