How do I encourage coraline algae ?

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by kim, Sep 3, 2009.

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  1. kim

    kim Astrea Snail

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    HI, - New tank, only 3 weeks into cycleing. Whats the best way to get coraline algae to spread and grow? Should the lights be on or off ? Anything else I can do ?

    Kim
     
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  3. salsalito25

    salsalito25 Stylophora

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    Best of luck is to leave them on while cycling.. and make sure your Calcium levels are where they should be... rite around i think 400ppm to 450 ppm


    Best of Luck...
     
  4. glampka

    glampka Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Best thing is to get some rock rubble or snail shell that already has coralline on it, scrape the coralline into your tank & let it spread with the current. Keep calcium up by water changes. Don't waste your money on Purple Up - it has been linked to pH swings when used.
     
  5. Av8Bluewater

    Av8Bluewater Giant Squid

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    I think one above meant to say lights off during cycle.
     
  6. the fisherman

    the fisherman Vlamingii Tang

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    Lights off during cycling. Make sure your alk, cal, and mag are where they should be and with time your coraline will grow, but not over night lol
     
  7. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    Hi Kim

    you could look back on this post in 3 years time and Tut and say "why did I want Coralline"

    dont encourage it , it will happen and it can become a nuisance

    Steve
     
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  9. whippy

    whippy Sailfin Tang

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    I started mine (and am kind of sorry I did because it's EVERYWHERE) by scraping my coralline dominated rock and sprinkling the scrapings through the tank. Mine seeded very quickly.
     
  10. Triplemom

    Triplemom Pajama Cardinal

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    My thoughts exactly, oh great one! :)
     
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  11. Screwtape

    Screwtape Tonozukai Fairy Wrasse

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    Me too! Scraping the glass is a chore I could do without.
     
  12. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    If you want to seed for coralline then get a rock with some on it. Turn your pumps off and chip off coralline that is on the rock with a pear of pliers or a screwdriver and let it all settle on the rock. Let the tank sit for about 2.5 hrs for the spores to settle then turn the pumps back on. 420nm lighting help and keeping your Mg in check.