Coraline algae

[Pizza101]

I think water stability/quality is the main reason some can grow it and why others can't.... I put this R/O unit I'n my tank 2 months ago and it's growing I'n it like Niño Browns bankroll

 

[Gregcoyote]

I'm sure there is some science behind it's propagation. As I said, it is also interesting it grows on power heads. I have some power heads that were in use for years that are just a clump of Coraline algae.
I think everyone agrees that good water quality and plenty of calcium is a good start. My LFS cultures live rock and grows Coraline algae on artificial reef rock in a tank on his bottom shelves. Very low light levels and rocks get covered in a few months time. The Purple Up works as well if all the rest of the conditions are there.

 

[Rscomia]

I think water stability/quality is the main reason some can grow it and why others can't.... I put this R/O unit I'n my tank 2 months ago and it's growing I'n it like Niño Browns bankroll

They make ro units that go in tanks?

 

[Pizza101]

Yes and I love love live it.

 

[jsmith]

Prove it....its a lie unless u can show me such a unit

 

[Rscomia]

Yes and I love love live it.

Where does someone get one of those?

 

[Pizza101]

I'm sorry big guy. Didn't mean to lie but it's true I did. Actually I didn't mean to it's a UV sterilizer 10 watt. Sorry to get ur hopes up lil fella...

 

[Pizza101]

My calcium is at 500 and the coralline is taking over my tank. I also have decent lighting too and pretty good water parameters. I really feel it's a combination of all three factors.

Spot on!

 

[Pizza101]

My calcium is 470 my alk is 9.5, Nitartes are 2-5ppm, Phosphates are undetectable, mag is 1400, great lighting and I can't get it to grow I sit and wish the heck out of it, but what I have just stays.

Have you tried transplanting it? What I did to speed up the process is scraped some off a rock with a good bit on it and transplanted it to rocks that didn't have any at all. But a warning: once you get it to grow it will take over ie: all over glass etc. Which you have to scrape it off, it's crazy but pretty

 

[hackteck]

tomorrow im gonna try to take a shot of this nassarius snail that has coralline algae growing on its shell in a weird swirling pattern

 

[Gregcoyote]

When the stuff takes off it is a mixed blessing. I am sure the snail sees it this way.

 

[bavass]

I think water stability/quality is the main reason some can grow it and why others can't.... I put this R/O unit I'n my tank 2 months ago and it's growing I'n it like Niño Browns bankroll

New Jack City

 

[bavass]

Have you tried transplanting it? What I did to speed up the process is scraped some off a rock with a good bit on it and transplanted it to rocks that didn't have any at all. But a warning: once you get it to grow it will take over ie: all over glass etc. Which you have to scrape it off, it's crazy but pretty

Yep twice a week I scrap some off into a powerhead. I have some on a few rocks it just never grows never dies. Been the same amount for almost 2 years now.

 

[Pizza101]

I would surley buy some purple up it works great if your seeding your tank. Check you phos as well that should be as close to zero as you can get. Are you working with a sump?

 

[bavass]

If i am correct Purple Up is just an additive that raises calcium and alkalinity, also has magnesium and strontium aid in rasing levels that coraline need to grow. I test and add for each of those. I am dosing a 2-part system from BRS and if I start adding purple up it will raise my calcium and alk more. My Phosphates are undetectable and nitrates are between 2-5ppm.

 

[carey]

I would surley buy some purple up it works great if your seeding your tank. Check you phos as well that should be as close to zero as you can get. Are you working with a sump?

Purple up can't seed a tank with coralline, it does help with it growing though. I throw some in every couple weeks if I remember. lol My calcium last test was at 500 so I think I'm good.

 

[Pizza101]

Ya. My statement was if your seeding your tank addsome purple up to help with the seeding process. I know purple up can't seed your tank silly!

 

[carey]

lol

 

[Gregcoyote]

One almost sure fire way to get it to grow is a Kalkwasser drip. It takes a bit more work and you need to set up a dosing rig as it has to be added very slowly and almost continuously. But it is a great source of calcium that seems to set clams, hard corals and pink coral algae off. It's old school, but it works.

 

[Maya]

Our coralline is encrusting the pump for our octopus skimmer in our sump. The pump has been in the tank for about 2 months. The coralline starting growing there about 2 weeks ago. It is growing in the skimmer as well so even though I don't know what helps it grow, I am sure that flow doesn't inhibit it's growth.