Coraline Algae

Candyman · 02-23-2001, 05:22 AM

What is the best way to get coraline algae to grow fast? What additives can I use and what is the best water parameters?

jlreese · 02-23-2001, 07:11 AM

Hi -

I found that keeping the normal water conditions for mini-reef system works well. Take a look at: www.intltradeinstitute.com/reef.html for more info on normal mini-reef water conditions. If you do not have a lot of coraline algae on your live rock you might try getting a few coraline algae frags from other "reefers" or your local shop. As far as additives go I have been real happy with Kent Marine products and I use them to help me maintain the health of my 75 gal mini-reef tank. I do add an iron supplement to help with all algae including the calcarious algae. Take a look at their web site: www.kentmarine.com for more info about their products. They do have a buffer that also contains a coraline algae booster. Also, keep your calcium, ph,and alklinity, within correct parameters. The only thing else I can say from here now would be it takes time. Good luck with your system improvements!

[ 02-23-2001: Message edited by: jlreese ]

[ 02-23-2001: Message edited by: jlreese ]

tdwyatt · 02-23-2001, 09:09 AM

Hmmmmmm..... Iron additives.... Hmmmmm.... I don't suppose you have some method of measuring what the starting level of Iron in tanks (prior to additives)is, do you??? The largest single , most competative user of iron in a reef is USUALLY ALGAE, and I don't mean Macros or coralline... Hmmmmmmmm....

[ 02-23-2001: Message edited by: tdwyatt ]

Candyman · 02-23-2001, 09:29 AM

Is there a certain tempature that coraline algae grows best at?

Coral Reefer · 02-23-2001, 02:42 PM

I am by no stretch of the imagination an expert on this, but I had absolutely no corraline algae growth on my tank glass until I started using B-Ionic. I'm sure others have had success with other products - that just happens to be the one I started using and I stuck with it. It's a little annoying when the back of the tank is far from being completely covered with corraline algae and you have to scrape some off the front and sides, but it does release the spores into the tank I suppose...

[ 02-23-2001: Message edited by: Coral Reefer ]

Doug1 · 02-23-2001, 11:09 PM

I noticed increased coralline when i started using B Ionic but i dose light so thats not been a problem

Candyman · 02-24-2001, 07:41 AM

Where can I buy B Ionic on the web?

Doug1 · 02-24-2001, 09:37 AM

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/

cath · 02-24-2001, 02:02 PM

Hey Candyman!

I'm here to tell you that my coraline algae was slow at first, but now is growing like mad

What's even better, I didn't add anything! Nada.

The painted back glass isn't completely covered with coraline, but it's there are big patches grown together. Also, my PHs are covered, etc, etc. Some too on the front and sides, so that's a maintenance job. grrr

FWIW, I maintain 82º in this little 29, and SG of 1.0245 to 1.025. All other parameters are within normal range.

All this neat stuff about my tank counteracts the horror that I went through with cyano last summer

Slow and steady have been my constant allies, right along with following the good advice from the moderators and buddies here on TRT.

Wind · 03-30-2001, 07:55 PM

Cath, Does coraline ruin PH?

Doesn't it get into it and jamn the inside?

cath · 03-30-2001, 08:51 PM

Wind-

Nope...my 2 PH are running just fine. I see what your concern is about the coraline jamming up the workings, but it hasn't happened. Though a general maintenance cleaning is in order.

Comments from anyone else?

Wind · 03-31-2001, 06:08 AM

1 more thing.

How do you scrape coraline algae off ACRYLIC GLASS?

Thanks..

cath · 04-01-2001, 10:46 PM

Wind,

Mine's glass, but I do believe I've heard talk of using your spent up credit card to scrape it off