RnB Posted October 6, 2004 Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 The key to successfully growing coralline algae: Excellent water quality, low to no phosphate, low nitrates, keep alkalinity towards mid to high end of chart, keep calcium level between 400 to 500 ppm, keep strontium level between 10 and 15 ppm, keep Iodide level between 0.03 to 0.06 ppm, keep magnesium level 1250 mg/L and keep borate level between 1.5 to 2.0 meg/L. In other words keep your parameters as close to NSW. Do you know that coralline algae does not want or require very strong lighting such as Metal Halide or Power Compacts, with these two types of lighting you will only grow a few strains of coralline algae and it takes a lot longer to establish coralline. The best lights to use to grow coralline algae are VHO URI bulbs. Coralline algae need good water flow. Find one rock with lots of different colors of coralline algae out of an established aquarium to seed your tank. Once a day take a tooth brush on the rock to loosen the algae spores. Before you know it, coralline will be all over your tank. Try doing weekly water changes with a good artificial sea salt. It does take time to establish coral algae. finf the one about scrubbing a good rock with a toothbrush each day interesting will try is straight away! I know everyione says MH are bad, but i get the best growth in the areas where there is shadded MH light, if that makes sense.... others? this is interesting also I have had good success with a one time dose of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), about 1/2 tablespoon per 75 gal. Within a week I have noticed new patches of coraline in ~70% of the tanks I have dosed. Of course these are tanks that I know are not receiving any other magnesium supliments (other than water changes), AND DON'T CURRENTLY SHOW SIGNS OF A NUISANCE ALGAE PROBLEM. If you have algae problems, do not dose this. If you have a specific rock curing tank, I think this could definately help to seed the rock before putting in the aquarium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted October 6, 2004 Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 I have a 3 foot tank for curing rock, I just dump tank water in there when doing my wate change. No light, 1 heater, no skimmer. Covered in corraline algae, no sweat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RnB Posted October 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 any pump for water movement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted October 6, 2004 Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 Nope just the heater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishy_matt Posted October 7, 2004 Report Share Posted October 7, 2004 hi ive always wondered about coralline algae, like what is the benefits of having or letting it grow in your tank esp. on areas like the side and back of your tanks. And does it hurt the tank if you scrub it off???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RnB Posted October 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2004 if you let it grow on the front/sides of an acrylic tank... its a bast*rd to get it off...... but i have been told that the process of scrubing it off with the correct acrylic pads does seed the tank well....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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