Coralline Algae Won't Grow on Rocks

Jmunk · 06/29/2015, 03:20 PM

Hey all,

So in my tank, my walls are COVERED with coralline algae, it's everywhere, except my rocks. This is the one thing I WISHED it covered because of how nice it looks. What gives? Why does it only spread on my walls? What can I do to get it on my rocks?

bmrigs · 06/29/2015, 04:53 PM

I added a few pieces of rubble rock with coralline on it from a LFS and put that on my dry rock. My tank is 6 weeks old and am starting to see it appearing on my rocks.

heritage · 06/29/2015, 05:10 PM

Funny I have the same problem.
Where did you get your rock from?
Are you having any phosphate issues?

JammyBirch · 06/29/2015, 05:18 PM

Coralline was really slow growing in my tank too, took about a year before I could see it spreading. If you're growing it on the walls then your water parameters are good. I was thinking it must be your light, I grow coralline like a champ on my walls only in my sump. All I have in there is a 6500k light. In the DT full spectrum LED with coralline on everything.

AndysReef · 06/29/2015, 05:24 PM

I have brs rock and my tank has been running for about 2 1/2 years. Only tiny hints of coralline. I even added a bit of live rock that was covered in coralline and still nothing.

Mania25 · 06/29/2015, 05:43 PM

If you scrape bits off the walls and let them get blown round the tank they should settle and start to spread. That's what I did with mine but be aware it will also grow where you don't want to it grow using this method.

ReefWreak · 06/29/2015, 05:54 PM

Start dosing 2 part or kalkwasser. Boom, coralline everywhere. Guaranteed.

Isaacs55 · 06/29/2015, 06:17 PM

Buy a couple pounds of live rock from your LFS that has some great coraline algea on them. Spread them out on your rocks around the tank. They don't have to be big peices...if you get a big piece then break it with a hammer and chisel and spread them out that way. Save one of those rocks and scrape the coraline off, into a large bowl with your tank water, with a sharp knife or use a whole saw and crape it that way. Then pour everything back into the tank all over your rocks...worked great for me and I started seeing green coraline that turns into purple. Make sure you have low nitrates also. Like below 5ppm or you won't grow any at all. Coraline grows differently on glass then it does on rocks...last thing make sure to cut down your light schedule because coraline does not like the light and usually starts growth in a shady area. Pink and light pink coraline is bleached...means it's not healthy...the lower the color temperature of your lights the better coraline algea will grow...hope that helps.

Jmunk · 06/29/2015, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JammyBirch

Coralline was really slow growing in my tank too, took about a year before I could see it spreading. If you're growing it on the walls then your water parameters are good. I was thinking it must be your light, I grow coralline like a champ on my walls only in my sump. All I have in there is a 6500k light. In the DT full spectrum LED with coralline on everything.

Hmm, I have an 8 bulb T5 setup, so I don't know how that wouldn't be enough to grow some coralline on the rocks.

Possible I just have to wait a little more?

Jmunk · 06/29/2015, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mania25

If you scrape bits off the walls and let them get blown round the tank they should settle and start to spread. That's what I did with mine but be aware it will also grow where you don't want to it grow using this method.

Might try this! Bare rocks don't look so good to me, so it'll be worth a try.

CStrickland · 06/29/2015, 10:31 PM

Some say that like phosphates can inhibit calcification in coral, they can in coralline algae too. Might just be a matter of time until the last bits are leached out of the rock. Also, keeping your margnesium / calcium / alkalinity in order helps. I've heard you can use a cheese grater or rasp tool to shave it into the water, but I think it's more about having the right conditions for growth

PS you don't have a bunch of urchins, right?

boon the goon · 06/30/2015, 04:24 AM

I have have my new tank set up for 4 months now and every thing this purple from my rock to my filter. I believe that I am having such good growth is because the water I get from my sink come from lime stone aquifers which are high in calcium.

Jmunk · 06/30/2015, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CStrickland

Some say that like phosphates can inhibit calcification in coral, they can in coralline algae too. Might just be a matter of time until the last bits are leached out of the rock. Also, keeping your margnesium / calcium / alkalinity in order helps. I've heard you can use a cheese grater or rasp tool to shave it into the water, but I think it's more about having the right conditions for growth

PS you don't have a bunch of urchins, right?

Oh man, I do have one? Could it be the one preventing?

PhaneSoul · 06/30/2015, 04:17 PM

urchins do love coralline algae, its a good part of their diet but one will not prevent it from growing, just eat it after it grows. I would look into the first part of CStrickland's post for your answer.

Isaacs55 · 06/30/2015, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmunk

Oh man, I do have one? Could it be the one preventing?

Definitely! Urchins love coraline algea. People put urchins in there tanks to get rid of coraline algea

06/29/2015, 03:20 PM	#1
Jmunk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 686	Coralline Algae Won't Grow on Rocks Hey all, So in my tank, my walls are COVERED with coralline algae, it's everywhere, except my rocks. This is the one thing I WISHED it covered because of how nice it looks. What gives? Why does it only spread on my walls? What can I do to get it on my rocks? __________________ 90G \| Eshopps S-120 Skimmer \| RS200 Sump \| 5 fish \| Mixed Reef \| Up and running ~ 18 months \| MP40/MP10 \| 8 bulb T5 Fixture

06/29/2015, 05:18 PM	#4
JammyBirch Aquaria Engineering Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,182	Coralline was really slow growing in my tank too, took about a year before I could see it spreading. If you're growing it on the walls then your water parameters are good. I was thinking it must be your light, I grow coralline like a champ on my walls only in my sump. All I have in there is a 6500k light. In the DT full spectrum LED with coralline on everything. __________________ 25g cube, split 10g sump with refugium, Jebao RW4, reefbreeder value Livestock adds: Osc Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Cherub Angel, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Serpent Brittle Star Current Tank Info: 25 gallon cube

06/29/2015, 05:24 PM	#5
AndysReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Sylvan Lake, MI Posts: 260	I have brs rock and my tank has been running for about 2 1/2 years. Only tiny hints of coralline. I even added a bit of live rock that was covered in coralline and still nothing. __________________ Reefing... Current Tank Info: 55g reef with 30g sump and refugium.

06/29/2015, 05:43 PM	#6
Mania25 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 57	Coralline Algae Won't Grow on Rocks If you scrape bits off the walls and let them get blown round the tank they should settle and start to spread. That's what I did with mine but be aware it will also grow where you don't want to it grow using this method.

06/29/2015, 10:31 PM	#11
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	Some say that like phosphates can inhibit calcification in coral, they can in coralline algae too. Might just be a matter of time until the last bits are leached out of the rock. Also, keeping your margnesium / calcium / alkalinity in order helps. I've heard you can use a cheese grater or rasp tool to shave it into the water, but I think it's more about having the right conditions for growth PS you don't have a bunch of urchins, right? __________________ If you're havin tank problems I feel bad for you, son. I got 99 problems but a fish ain't one Current Tank Info: 3/2016 upgrade to 120g. Chalk bass, melanurus, firefish, starry blenny, canary blenny, lyretail anthias, engineer gobys, kole tang. Softies / LPS / NPS. <3 noob4life <3

06/29/2015, 04:53 PM	#2
bmrigs Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 198	I added a few pieces of rubble rock with coralline on it from a LFS and put that on my dry rock. My tank is 6 weeks old and am starting to see it appearing on my rocks.

06/29/2015, 05:10 PM	#3
heritage Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: PHILLY Posts: 561	Funny I have the same problem. Where did you get your rock from? Are you having any phosphate issues?

06/29/2015, 05:54 PM	#7
ReefWreak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 10,159	Start dosing 2 part or kalkwasser. Boom, coralline everywhere. Guaranteed.

06/29/2015, 06:17 PM	#8
Isaacs55 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Riverbank CA Posts: 906	Buy a couple pounds of live rock from your LFS that has some great coraline algea on them. Spread them out on your rocks around the tank. They don't have to be big peices...if you get a big piece then break it with a hammer and chisel and spread them out that way. Save one of those rocks and scrape the coraline off, into a large bowl with your tank water, with a sharp knife or use a whole saw and crape it that way. Then pour everything back into the tank all over your rocks...worked great for me and I started seeing green coraline that turns into purple. Make sure you have low nitrates also. Like below 5ppm or you won't grow any at all. Coraline grows differently on glass then it does on rocks...last thing make sure to cut down your light schedule because coraline does not like the light and usually starts growth in a shady area. Pink and light pink coraline is bleached...means it's not healthy...the lower the color temperature of your lights the better coraline algea will grow...hope that helps.

06/30/2015, 04:24 AM	#12
boon the goon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: 92677 Posts: 312	I have have my new tank set up for 4 months now and every thing this purple from my rock to my filter. I believe that I am having such good growth is because the water I get from my sink come from lime stone aquifers which are high in calcium.

06/30/2015, 04:17 PM	#14
PhaneSoul Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 949	urchins do love coralline algae, its a good part of their diet but one will not prevent it from growing, just eat it after it grows. I would look into the first part of CStrickland's post for your answer.