noob question about algae

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by mailforjon, Sep 17, 2008.

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  1. mailforjon

    mailforjon Plankton

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    Boston, MA
    ive always liked the look of tanks with the colorful bursts of algae growing on the back wall. is this corraline (sp?) algae?

    will this grow in time in my tank? my tank is only several months old, but the turbo snails seem to do an excellent job of keeping that back wall clean.

    is there anything i can do to establish a growth of this on the back wall?

    thanks!
     
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  3. suzique

    suzique Flamingo Tongue

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    Yes, the colorful bursts are coraline. When you say your tank is several months old, how many weeks is that? Was any of your rock cured when you put it in the tank? And yes it does take time. Your snails won't be able to clean coralline off the walls. Has your tank finished cycling?
    Sue
     
  4. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    You will get it eventually. If you used base rock and dry sand, you may need to seed your tank with a rock that already has some growing on it. But most likely, your tank will start to grow it soon enough, you really just have to wait.
     
  5. PharmrJohn

    PharmrJohn The Dude

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    .......and when it starts growing, you will scrape it off weekly. Trust me.
     
  6. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    good point, when it first started growing in my tank I was so happy, now it is getting to be a pain. I still like the way it looks, but it grows everywhere, I don't scrape the back, just the sides and front
     
  7. vavra6

    vavra6 Astrea Snail

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    yeah its pretty for awhile then it becomes a pain .....
     
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  9. Phayes

    Phayes Aiptasia Anemone

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    +1... letting corraline grow on the back glass gives a whole new surface for you to let corals grow on.... GSP, pulsing xenia, and zoanthids are an excellent choice to brighten up that corraline covered back glass!
     
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  10. mailforjon

    mailforjon Plankton

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    im only about 11-12 weeks in so far. yes, i used live rock when i started the tank.
     
  11. shipbear

    shipbear Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Mobile, Alabama
    Back Glass

    letting corraline grow on the back glass gives a whole new surface for you to let corals grow on..

    I didn't know that..
    If done right, I bet it'll really look good..
    AND another good reason to get more coral..!! LOL


    Thanks for the info, Larry