How to grow coraline algae FAST?

foshizzle · 04/09/2007, 11:02 PM

I'm going to build a few pillars for my new tank with dry base rock.
I'd like to cover the pillars with as much coraline as possible before moving them to the display.

I will be setting up a temporary 20g tub for this. What are the optimum conditions for growing coraline?
1) lighting: I can run 1,2,or 3 55w PC bulbs over the tank?
2) nutrients levels?
3) alkalinity?
4) etc.?

Bainic · 04/09/2007, 11:25 PM

high alk and high calcium, good water movement

pledosophy · 04/09/2007, 11:25 PM

keep alk and calcuim upto par.

Nutrients aren't all that important, at all, but seeding the liverock with bacteria does require some ammonia to feed the bacteria.

Just 1 55w would be fine IMO.

A piece of LR already containing coraline is helpful.

McCrary · 04/09/2007, 11:29 PM

Actinic PC, T5 or T12 bulbs do the trick, just set a lot of them over a tub and watch. We used 100 gallon rubber maid tubs and VHO actinics to grow coralline on live rock at the LFS I used to work so the customers thought they were getting awesome rock.

drummereef · 04/09/2007, 11:29 PM

Fast is an oxymoron when it comes to coralline. If you keep your alk, ca, mag levels balanced and solid week to week you will see coralline growth. Lighting required of course.

foshizzle · 04/09/2007, 11:59 PM

anyone seen a difference with strontium, iodine, iron?

oct2274 · 04/10/2007, 02:27 AM

make sure your alk, calcium, and magnesium are on and it'll be everywhere.........

McCrary · 04/10/2007, 03:14 AM

light + calcium = coralline algae, just give your rock lots of actinic light and time.

NoSchwag · 04/10/2007, 04:42 AM

strontium is what you want. don't overdose.

Frick-n-Frags · 04/10/2007, 04:50 AM

pretend you aren't watching it.

boxfishpooalot · 04/10/2007, 05:26 AM

Very low phosphates are key to any calcifying organism. As little as .19ppm of phosphate maintained for 3 hours per day is enough to limit calcification of corals by as much as 43%. And we are not only talking inorgainc phosphates but also organic phosphates.

AngeloM3 · 04/11/2007, 05:28 PM

I'll sell you some coraline algae. $10 for a zip-loc bag full.

04/09/2007, 11:02 PM	#1
foshizzle Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 483	How to grow coraline algae FAST? I'm going to build a few pillars for my new tank with dry base rock. I'd like to cover the pillars with as much coraline as possible before moving them to the display. I will be setting up a temporary 20g tub for this. What are the optimum conditions for growing coraline? 1) lighting: I can run 1,2,or 3 55w PC bulbs over the tank? 2) nutrients levels? 3) alkalinity? 4) etc.?

04/09/2007, 11:25 PM	#2
Bainic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 72	high alk and high calcium, good water movement __________________ If my wife asks, it only cost $20!! Current Tank Info: 55g 2ocellaris, 1maroon, 1goby, 1yellow tang, 3chromis, sand sifting star

04/09/2007, 11:25 PM	#3
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	keep alk and calcuim upto par. Nutrients aren't all that important, at all, but seeding the liverock with bacteria does require some ammonia to feed the bacteria. Just 1 55w would be fine IMO. A piece of LR already containing coraline is helpful. __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

04/09/2007, 11:29 PM	#4
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Actinic PC, T5 or T12 bulbs do the trick, just set a lot of them over a tub and watch. We used 100 gallon rubber maid tubs and VHO actinics to grow coralline on live rock at the LFS I used to work so the customers thought they were getting awesome rock. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

04/09/2007, 11:29 PM	#5
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Fast is an oxymoron when it comes to coralline. If you keep your alk, ca, mag levels balanced and solid week to week you will see coralline growth. Lighting required of course. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/09/2007, 11:59 PM	#6
foshizzle Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 483	anyone seen a difference with strontium, iodine, iron?

04/10/2007, 02:27 AM	#7
oct2274 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,347	make sure your alk, calcium, and magnesium are on and it'll be everywhere.........

04/10/2007, 03:14 AM	#8
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	light + calcium = coralline algae, just give your rock lots of actinic light and time. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

04/10/2007, 04:42 AM	#9
NoSchwag Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterbury, Ct. Posts: 2,530	strontium is what you want. don't overdose. __________________ Keeping low levels of po4 without chemicals since 2005. Current Tank Info: Beckett skimmed, penductor flowed, luminarc lighted, UV sterilized, litermeter dosed, Aquacontroller controlled, SPS dominated, 120 BB tank.

04/10/2007, 04:50 AM	#10
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	pretend you aren't watching it. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

04/10/2007, 05:26 AM	#11
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	Very low phosphates are key to any calcifying organism. As little as .19ppm of phosphate maintained for 3 hours per day is enough to limit calcification of corals by as much as 43%. And we are not only talking inorgainc phosphates but also organic phosphates. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

04/11/2007, 05:28 PM	#12
AngeloM3 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,016	I'll sell you some coraline algae. $10 for a zip-loc bag full. __________________ "I'm sick of chasing my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where their going and catch up with them later." -Mitch Hedberg R.I.P