Coraline Algae?

[NewbToFish]

I've read quite a bit and i understand that you need to introduce Coraline into your tank buy is it possible to introduce scrapings from another tank? and what can you do to make it spread faster? also is thier a may to introduce it in larger quantities or will that make a diffrence? Thanks

 

[xxBarneyxx]

The best thing to get fast growth is decent lighting and high water quality, if you keep up with regular water changes and your water parameters are good it will grow (though it can take a long time).

The best way to speed it up is exactly as you described. Try and get a good bit of well covered rock and scrap some of it off into the tank, apprently leaving the rock in a high flow area also helps to spread it around. I would guess that the more you can introduce the more likely it is to spread.

Just dont be tempted to use products like "purple up" as they will do more harm than good.

 

[Anguilla82]

i have found poor lighting and more importantly phosphate to be the biggest hindrances to the growth of corraline.
As has already been said having some rock in your tank that already has a good amount of corraline will do no end of good in seeding a 'new' tank.

 

[bagu]

i read on here scraping it off with a razorblade and put it in the pump; it blows it all around the tank, so it spreads faster.

 

[NewbToFish]

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[scott133]

hi

is purple up any good as it says it is an accelerator as long as you have some of the coraline algea in the tank it will make it grow really quick

 

[TigerIssey]

Apparently its just a calcium and magnesium supplement, if you are not testing levels or you don't need additional calc and mag, you will run into problems.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Yep exactly as tiger said. It does work for a calc/mag supply but unless you are testing clac and mag and dosing accordingly do not use it (and if you are dosing calc and mag there are much, much cheaper ways to do it ).

 

[mutantbigman2000]

and dont buy an urchin. Mine has pretty much stripped the back walls of my tank.

 

[bagu]

and dont buy an urchin. Mine has pretty much stripped the back walls of my tank.

ouch

 

[owlbassboy]

guys yous are all wanting this stuff to spread??? why, it blocks up your live rock and prevents it from filtering the water. plus your corals stand out better against black or blue back grounds

 

[Buddyboy67]

Agree with owl here...heavy coverings of this encrusting algae are detrimental to the filtration of your live rock. Yes it looks good but in large quantities can be harmful. I added 3 urchins, now keeping one just for this job, keeping it under control. Patches on your rock are natural looking but total coverage really should be avoided.
Another element importat for coralline is the much overlooked strontium..important factor for any organism absorbing calcium and magnesium.

 

[Morri]

Hmmm thats food for thought I picked up my tank second hand and the LR has a lot of coraline on am I correct in guessing it will not be doing a great job ?

If so is it only urchins that eat it guessing a tuxedo urching for 130l ?

 

[Shudahadgillz]

Purple up=bad idea in most cases i'd say.

Owls right; its pointless to allow to much growth of the c.line other than to asteticlly "please" the eye. See it as you spend oh soo much on liverock to help with filtering,.. then the algea moves in.. now the concept of "better water quality" has been deminished.

However, if it is the look your going for this season then keep in mind a few things:
-when getting the liverock you had best get half or less than half fully covered in the purple stuff and the other half or more of rock c.line free.
-if you want it to grow faster, I have had plenty of succes with the (scrapping) method even in a new aquarium me-self
-though; use caution with the chemicals,.. some life in the tank may not agree with the decision if thats the route you choose to take and result may vary
-The best thing is good water quality, I have had two standard t12 20w bulbs on my 30gal and the algea didnt seem to mind the low lighting conditions at all. But, if the nitrates are high the c.line ceases to spread.