how to grow coraline algae on baserocks?

Allen87 · 11/19/2007, 02:28 AM

Hi guys,
This newbie is thinking of using base rocks (instead of live rocks) due to the following reasons:
1. base rocks wouldn't have the unwanted hitchhikers
2. you can "design" your diy base rocks according to your needs/preference
3. base rocks are cheaper

However, I was wondering how can I grow coraline algae on base rocks?

Would it "naturally spring out" from the base rocks + saltmixed water?

Thanks in advance for the info

Burbs · 11/19/2007, 02:54 AM

you need some in the tank either some scrapings or a piece of live rock with some on it to seed the base rock with

boxerzz · 11/19/2007, 06:14 AM

coraline like areas with some light at least.

MalHavoc · 11/19/2007, 08:26 AM

You'll definitely need to see your tank with existing live rock if you want coralline to grow. It has to come from some place.

Sk8r · 11/19/2007, 10:43 AM

Good advice. And to spur the growth of coralline, keep your magnesium reading 3x that of your calcium [s/b 420] and maybe a shade higher. I'm scraping it off my glass like crazy.

Embowe · 11/19/2007, 10:55 AM

I have also heard that you can buy a few turbo snails with coraline growing on their shell and set them loose in your tank...as they move around some of it is bound to scrape off and seed your tank....

seapug · 11/19/2007, 12:21 PM

All you need to do is add something with some coralline already on it. Keep your alkalinity high and it will start spreading all over the place within a couple weeks.

Tangweed · 11/19/2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seapug
All you need to do is add something with some coralline already on it. Keep your alkalinity high and it will start spreading all over the place within a couple weeks.

Right on!!!!

Kryptikhan · 11/19/2007, 07:32 PM

I have mixed rock with coraline algae on one of my fiji's.....Are you doising mag? Im'a shoot for your blessed problem lol.

Thx

Kryptikhan · 11/19/2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sk8r
Good advice. And to spur the growth of coralline, keep your magnesium reading 3x that of your calcium [s/b 420] and maybe a shade higher. I'm scraping it off my glass like crazy.

My last post was in regards to this quote......

Allen87 · 11/20/2007, 01:33 AM

Thank you all for the input

I guess there's no other way but to get a "source" (liverocks, or snails)

demonsp · 11/20/2007, 01:51 AM

You need to keep all the water readings level do your water changes adjusting the amount changed and the time frame by monitoring your water readings. Besure your flow is adaquit control algea blooms and it will grow faster then you can scrape off the viewing area.
Good coraline growth id a sign of well maintaned and not overmaintaned tank. The faster the growth the better the system.
Purple coraline is good but shoot for a blend of pink , brown , and purple coraline. Pinks the hardest to get in high amounts.

11/19/2007, 02:28 AM	#1
Allen87 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Philippines Posts: 8	how to grow coraline algae on baserocks? Hi guys, This newbie is thinking of using base rocks (instead of live rocks) due to the following reasons: 1. base rocks wouldn't have the unwanted hitchhikers 2. you can "design" your diy base rocks according to your needs/preference 3. base rocks are cheaper However, I was wondering how can I grow coraline algae on base rocks? Would it "naturally spring out" from the base rocks + saltmixed water? Thanks in advance for the info

11/19/2007, 08:26 AM	#4
MalHavoc Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 10,850	You'll definitely need to see your tank with existing live rock if you want coralline to grow. It has to come from some place. __________________ Jason "Empathy, he once had decided, must be limited to herbivores or anyhow omnivores who could depart from a meat diet. Because, ultimately, the empathic gift blurred the boundaries between hunter and victim, between the successful and the defeated." -- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K Dick

11/19/2007, 10:43 AM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Good advice. And to spur the growth of coralline, keep your magnesium reading 3x that of your calcium [s/b 420] and maybe a shade higher. I'm scraping it off my glass like crazy. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/19/2007, 12:21 PM	#7
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	All you need to do is add something with some coralline already on it. Keep your alkalinity high and it will start spreading all over the place within a couple weeks. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

11/19/2007, 07:32 PM	#9
Kryptikhan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North East Posts: 272	I have mixed rock with coraline algae on one of my fiji's.....Are you doising mag? Im'a shoot for your blessed problem lol. Thx __________________ 72 Bow Reef, 75 FW Planted, 90 Acrylic tank being transformed to sump. Larger Reef in works. Current Tank Info: 72g AGA Bow (Current 4x54 T5, Super Skimmer 125, Mag 7, Hydor 3's x2, Kent Hi-S 60gph, 20G Acrylic Sump/Fuge, Dual Bulkhead Overflow, 80 lbs sand, 100 lb rock)

11/19/2007, 02:54 AM	#2
Burbs Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Charleston,SC Posts: 324	you need some in the tank either some scrapings or a piece of live rock with some on it to seed the base rock with

11/19/2007, 06:14 AM	#3
boxerzz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 606	coraline like areas with some light at least.

11/19/2007, 10:55 AM	#6
Embowe Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jersey Posts: 331	I have also heard that you can buy a few turbo snails with coraline growing on their shell and set them loose in your tank...as they move around some of it is bound to scrape off and seed your tank....

11/20/2007, 01:33 AM	#11
Allen87 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Philippines Posts: 8	Thank you all for the input I guess there's no other way but to get a "source" (liverocks, or snails)

11/20/2007, 01:51 AM	#12
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	You need to keep all the water readings level do your water changes adjusting the amount changed and the time frame by monitoring your water readings. Besure your flow is adaquit control algea blooms and it will grow faster then you can scrape off the viewing area. Good coraline growth id a sign of well maintaned and not overmaintaned tank. The faster the growth the better the system. Purple coraline is good but shoot for a blend of pink , brown , and purple coraline. Pinks the hardest to get in high amounts.