Encouraging Coralline Algae Growth.

[Allen]

Is there a way to encourage coralline algae to grow ?

The only places I seem to have any growth is on my rocks - and that seems to be slowly disappearing over time.

 

[wflash3]

adding calcium, but make sure you test your calcium levels first, its should be around 400ppm's i think.
someone can correct that if im wrong. And calcium will help with coral growth if you have any.

flash

 

[jeffery]

you can get Perple-up i have uesd it but make shure all levels are ok to add be for you do .
the way i add it is just after a water change

 

[callell]

Encouage it ahhhhhhh

I spend half my day getting rid of the stuff

Also there is the debate about Corraline encrusted rocks not being able to process ammonia as well as uncovered ones

 

[wflash3]

Encouage it ahhhhhhh

I spend half my day getting rid of the stuff

Also there is the debate about Corraline encrusted rocks not being able to process ammonia as well as uncovered ones

I dont know about that, but everyone i asked said its great for reef tanks.

flash

 

[callell]

Encouage it ahhhhhhh

I spend half my day getting rid of the stuff

Also there is the debate about Corraline encrusted rocks not being able to process ammonia as well as uncovered ones

I dont know about that, but everyone i asked said its great for reef tanks.

flash

What does it 'do' that is great ?

 

[SkiFletch]

Actually, coraline algae grows fastest under high light, low nutrients, and high alkalinity as long as calcium is above say 350ppm. The more rate-limiting chemistry component is often alkalinity.

 

[wflash3]

Encouage it ahhhhhhh

I spend half my day getting rid of the stuff

Also there is the debate about Corraline encrusted rocks not being able to process ammonia as well as uncovered ones

I dont know about that, but everyone i asked said its great for reef tanks.

flash

What does it 'do' that is great ?

to tell you the truth....i dont know, im sure ski does

 

[Allen]

The back of my tank and all the equipment looks too sterile - im sure a coating of coralline would make it look better.

 

[SkiFletch]

Well, there is a great debate over the "worth" of coraline algae to our tanks. Some claim it can block pores in LR otherwise housing bacteria that process nitrogenous waste. Yet no research proves or disproves this, and in fact such research would likely be impossible since most every system is different. Bottom line, I've seen tanks COATED with coraline that have 0 ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate, so if you ask me it can't be all that bad for your filtration. In fact, people forget that it is a photosynthetic organism and as such can bind both ammonia AND nitrate directly. And lastly lets not forget that it only grows where there is light, so the underside pores of all LR remains open for filtration.

Then the only decision is do you like the look and are you willing to deal with the glass scraping if/when you provide truly ideal conditions for it.

 

[callell]

The back of my tank and all the equipment looks too sterile - im sure a coating of coralline would make it look better.

That is where a Closed Loop System & a Sump comes in to its own

Well, there is a great debate over the "worth" of coraline algae to our tanks. Some claim it can block pores in LR otherwise housing bacteria that process nitrogenous waste. Yet no research proves or disproves this, and in fact such research would likely be impossible since most every system is different. Bottom line, I've seen tanks COATED with coraline that have 0 ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate, so if you ask me it can't be all that bad for your filtration. In fact, people forget that it is a photosynthetic organism and as such can bind both ammonia AND nitrate directly. And lastly lets not forget that it only grows where there is light, so the underside pores of all LR remains open for filtration.

Then the only decision is do you like the look and are you willing to deal with the glass scraping if/when you provide truly ideal conditions for it.

On the flip side I have seen basic reefs with no corraline algea, my own opinion is that corraline does block LR to an extent which must cut down its effectiveness

As for ascetics, seeing Coralline on the back glass just looks like an unkept tank IMO

 

[Allen]

I have the sump, closed loop is the next installment.

anyone know where I can get black bulkhead fittings ?

 

[steelhealr]

DO NOT ADD PURPLE UP, PERPLE UP, PIHRPLE UP or NERPLE UP.

NO ADDITIVES TO YOUR TANK UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY NEED IT AND MEASURE WHAT YOU ARE ADDING TO YOUR TANK.

Eveything you've always wanted to know about coralline algae and NOT PERPLE UP

 

[Lynden]

I read somewhere that corals generally prefer a coating of coralline algae. It seems like they could get a better grip on a rough surface to me, but who knows?

 

[afmo]

As for ascetics, seeing Coralline on the back glass just looks like an unkept tank IMO

thats what is great about this hobby, its all so personal. To me, a back glass full of coralline is a sign of progress