Coraline Algea

I have a 29G reef tank. I bought a frag of zoanthids based on a rock with purple-red coraline algea. My tank had no coraline prior to adding this. It has since spead (in small spots) throughout the live rock. My paramaters are right on with the routine maintenance I perform. I would like to seed more of this. How can I do this? I use a calcium buffer which has sped the corline spread.
Also, my copepods have drastically decreased in numbers recently. (My tank was infested with them prior to a month ago. I administer a live plankton as per my local LFS. Thanks in advance for your reply. =)

 

As for the coraline, you can try to scrape some off and let it float around until it finds a place to grow. It will spread on its own as long as the Ca and dkh are kept up with. As for the copepods, it could be because their population got too large and some died off naturally or your fish could be eating them.

 

Thanks for your reply GuitarMan. I was just reading through older posts to find the same answer. Perhaps someone can answer this as well...? I notice most people on here have their tank info after their posts. Is this a signature, and if so, where in my profile edit can I insert this?

 

Go to user CP (upper left) and click edit signature

 

Hey Sharkbate u got pics of your tank? I have a 29 gallon also and would love to see what you have done with yours!

 

Corraline spreads quite quickly when Ca and Alk levels are high, and proper lighting is implemented. I also have a sea urchin that mows it down and defecates the corraline back into the water current and then spreads all over the tank (sounds quite disgusting- but 'tis a great way to spread corraline to other parts of the tank).

 

you can use "purple up" i use it myself, works great!

 

purple up----i've got bout 50lbs of lr in a 55gal and had recently got one rock that was covered in corraline, used purple up twice and have it on nearly all my rock now

 

I can vouch for the effectiveness of purple up as a way of getting coralline growth

I can also say that when I decided to go reef and test Calc and Mag I was at 480 and 1530 respectvely - and to this day I have no idea what my Iodide level got to!

I do know a series of water changes was undertaken and carbon run 24/7 in order to get my levels back down to normal reef parameters

if your not testing - dont add

Mine was FOWLR so I did not bother with the 3 test kits required

you can have some problems with elevated levels - especially Iodide

let nature take its course with the coralline IM (lesson learned my making mistake) E

once it takes over, you will regret having it anyway

Steve

 

I second the coraline growth. Just chill and before you know it all of your rock will change colors. If you have a built in overflow with the black wall you usually see it growing there first second is the back wall. It may only be tiny round spots at first, however, this is a good sign that the coraline is progressing and it will spread on its own.

From my own experience tanks filled with live sand grow the coraline much quicker then if you bought plaine agronite sand.