how to grow coraline algea?

[Mekinnik]

What is the best way to grow coraline algae?

40 gal.
15 lbs. LR
1 1/2" SB
prizim skimmer
2 NO 36" lights (10,000k and 100% actinic)
marineland 300 bio-wheel
1 rio 180 powerhead
1 blue hippo tang
1 dragon wrasse
2 snails
3 reef hermits
1 open brain (in sad shape)
1 feather duster

[Jollymon]

Keep the alk and calcium in line, and it will come! :lol:

[Pineapple House]

Coraline algea will mostly grow with calcium higher than 450ppm, and usually lower lighting, although in most cases that is false. I think calcium would be the main resource that made this grow, along with good water quality.

PH =)

[phistio]

with the addition of calcium, i also belive that coral line algae needs strontium, as well as magnesium...as well, phosphates should be low and copper cannot be detectable...

the thing is...coraline algae takes a long time to grow, and if your water conditions will not stay at a quality buffer level, you'll have to raise your alkalinity...

good luck!

[Irisservice]

Keep the calcium and alk UP and you'll get it.
I used two to three differnt types of calcium from the beging and found Turbo Calcium Work the the best along With supper buffer for alk.I have green and purple coraline.

[oscar]

use kalkwasser for your fw topoff ,and watch how fast it grows.

[Irisservice]

that works just watch the ph

[ssgibby]

if you have a powerhead you can "blow" water at your current LR. This will circulate the "Spores" around the tank. Be patient, it will come.

[spsfreak]

I agree with Scott on most of what was said except the high calcium; IME as long as the calcium stays at around 375 your ok. I keep the wifes tank around 375 and keep good current on the LR and it's seems to be almost out of control, not only is it spreading continually but it is layering itself. IME as long as the water parameters are correct and you have decent light (my wifes tank is a 55gallon and has 330w of VHO) it will come (as stated befrore my many others). IMO\IME what really kicks it off is when you see it starting to grow.... good water flow on and around your live rock is key.

IMO\IME.. HTH Matt :)

[ssgibby]

spsfreak,

WELCOME TO REEFLOUNGE.com.

[L.U.F.C]

Hi, try grinding up some live rock with coraline algea on,then spread this round the tank. :)

[OscarBeast]

Just good steady Ca and Alk levels and plenty of other things encrusted with coralline.

Grinding up some was a good idea that someone brought up. It was also a good idea to to put a powerhead flowing over some LR encrusted with it.

For me, I didn't have any real growth for a few months, then suddenly it exploded and I couldn't keep the stuff off the dang glass.

[Zack]

same thing happen to me oscarbeast I wish someone now would scrape it off lol

[steve1s]

One thing to add about the coralline that I did not see mentioned.

If you choose the spore method. You should make sure that the skimmer is turned off for a few hours while doing the grinding. The spores will need time to settle out of the water column to their new home. The skimmer is very efficient at pulling the spores out of the water and will diminish your efforts of scraping the existing coralline to spore the tank.

A few hours without the skimmer will not hurt the tank.

Cheers
Steve

[phistio]

good point steve...

i turn my skimmer of for serveral hours at a time in many situations...i.e. feeding DT's and what not.

[JB NY]

Try adding strontium to the tank. High alk and Ca are two necessary components for coralline to grow, and I had decent growth in my tank. However, I started adding strontium to the tank about 5 months ago. About three months ago my coralline took off. I definitely feel it was the strontium. Some people feel very strongly about strontium and will say not to use it, but try it for a few months and you be the judge. I used 1 tsp once a week.

My tank in Aug 02

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/images/timeline/081902_full.jpg

Then in October 02

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/images/timeline/102202_full.jpg