Will coraline algae grow without liverock?

Reef noob_ · 05/11/2014, 04:35 PM

I've been going through a 29 gallon tank build lately and I'm wondering if you can get coralline algae growing without the introduction of liverock as I'd like to keep this tank 100% dry rock to avoid all algae outbreaks such as what happened in my last tank, also how should I cycle my tank if I'm not adding liverock or sand? Should I add a hardy small fish but then I feel that coralline algae will not be introduced untill I add corals, but id like it to be there before the corals. Please help.

nicholasb · 05/11/2014, 04:51 PM

No coraline will grow if you none in there, or do not introduce any. It could come in with fish, or corals or any thing you add, with any ammount of water from a tank with coraline.
Don't add any fish till you have built up some bactira for the nitrogen cycle, unless you want dead fish. Add a bottle bactira, then a tiny bit of fish food. when ammonia and nitrite is zero, add fish!!.

sponger0 · 05/11/2014, 04:51 PM

Dry rock turns into live rock. As long as your alk and calcium are good, coraline should growth without a problem

To cycle it, ghost feed the tank. But dont add fish until the tank is cycled.

SmoothSmoke · 05/11/2014, 05:29 PM

I've read that some people just add some snails that have coralline on their shells.

MinnFish · 05/11/2014, 05:31 PM

Why would you want coralline?

Reef noob_ · 05/11/2014, 08:34 PM

Ok I think I'll try with the snails. I want coralline cause it looks good ......
So ill ghost cycle, add some water from my existing tank and add snails with coralline thanks guys

SaltyTony · 05/12/2014, 12:27 AM

Use the snails or ask a fellow reefer for some coralline scrapings that they are most likely (myself included) scraping off of their glass.

05/11/2014, 04:35 PM	#1
Reef noob_ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: holmdel, NJ Posts: 555	Will coraline algae grow without liverock? I've been going through a 29 gallon tank build lately and I'm wondering if you can get coralline algae growing without the introduction of liverock as I'd like to keep this tank 100% dry rock to avoid all algae outbreaks such as what happened in my last tank, also how should I cycle my tank if I'm not adding liverock or sand? Should I add a hardy small fish but then I feel that coralline algae will not be introduced untill I add corals, but id like it to be there before the corals. Please help.

05/11/2014, 05:31 PM	#5
MinnFish Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home of 10,000 lakes Posts: 917	Why would you want coralline? __________________ 33G Long, 4x54 watt T5, Tunze 6025, Tunze Osmolator ATO, Tunze Streamfilter 3163 Posts about moving an oversized fish to a bigger tank. Is like hearing every stripper is just working to pay for colle

05/11/2014, 08:34 PM	#6
Reef noob_ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: holmdel, NJ Posts: 555	Ok I think I'll try with the snails. I want coralline cause it looks good ...... So ill ghost cycle, add some water from my existing tank and add snails with coralline thanks guys __________________ ________________________ New Build in progress http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2528685 90 gallon DT, 65 Gallon Fuge, Chinese LEDs, LPS and Soft coral reef

05/11/2014, 04:51 PM	#2
nicholasb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: south west england Posts: 292	No coraline will grow if you none in there, or do not introduce any. It could come in with fish, or corals or any thing you add, with any ammount of water from a tank with coraline. Don't add any fish till you have built up some bactira for the nitrogen cycle, unless you want dead fish. Add a bottle bactira, then a tiny bit of fish food. when ammonia and nitrite is zero, add fish!!.

05/11/2014, 04:51 PM	#3
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Dry rock turns into live rock. As long as your alk and calcium are good, coraline should growth without a problem To cycle it, ghost feed the tank. But dont add fish until the tank is cycled.

05/11/2014, 05:29 PM	#4
SmoothSmoke Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 411	I've read that some people just add some snails that have coralline on their shells.

05/12/2014, 12:27 AM	#7
SaltyTony Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 121	Use the snails or ask a fellow reefer for some coralline scrapings that they are most likely (myself included) scraping off of their glass.