Quick Question!

[untamed]

I think the stuff you are looking at is coraline algae. It is usually purple in colour. Like coral, it will use the Ca and Alk in your tank as it grows. Keeping it healthy will require you to monitor your Ca/Alk levels as mentioned.

Usually, you don't need to introduce this stuff...I'm sure it is there already, unless your LR was REALLY, REALLY dead.

Good water conditions, Ca/Alk control and lighting and you'll have lots of this stuff.

[DJ_drew]

ok well i just put new LR in the tank
the rock i had in there was growing coraline
but i had to deal with cyano so ive had the lights off for about 4 days now to control it

[christyf5]

Just give it some time, likely you will see some copepods in a couple of weeks. Try looking at your tank at night, lights off, using a flashlight. You'll find there is a lot more life in your tank at night than during the day. Coralline algae will take a bit longer, probably 6-8 weeks or so. The rest will come over time.

[hillegom]

If looking at your tank at night with a flashlight, put red cellophane over the lens. Night time critters will not be as skittish with red light.