Getting coraline algea to grow..

[SLUGZ]

Been trying to search the best ways to grow coraline (sp?) on my rocks.. Any suggestions? I've read Kalk is the best additive.. Is this correct?

What about the "gels" that you smear on the rocks.. can't remember the namebrand..

How important is lighting? I'm guessing very..

rc

 

[aquarist=broke]

SLUGZ,

I've heard that pointing the powerhead towards the rock will cause it to grow. I have also noticed that waiting and more waiting and good water quality are a good way to get it to grow.

But that's just a two year reefer speaking. Some of the people here have been doing this for ten years plus......

 

[SLUGZ]

I do know that it just doesn't happen overnight..

I just want to make sure I'm not forgetting to do something.. come 6mos-1yr from now I would like to see some growth.. but would hate to have some say .. WELL you should have been doing this.. etc.. etc..


rc

 

[Ben1]

Coralline algea requires low P02 as phosphates inhibit calcification from occuring. Since Coralline algea grows by laying down calcium the main two things are very low P02 and correct alk/ca levels. As long as you keep those things in check it will grow.

BTW I would never smear anything on my rock to get it to grow. You can smear as much crap as you want on the live rock and get no where if you dont have your levels in check.

 

[reefland]

Been trying to search the best ways to grow coraline (sp?) on my rocks.. Any suggestions? I've read Kalk is the best additive.. Is this correct?

Kalk is pretty good for it. Certianly won't hurt your efforts. I would supplement your kalkwasser with a 2 part additive such as ESV. I had excellent coralline gorwth in a non-reactor tank when using this.

What about the "gels" that you smear on the rocks.. can't remember the namebrand..

Say what? a gel?

how important is lighting? I'm guessing very..

Lighting is important. You tend to have more rapid growths in the lower light sections of the tank. But it will grow on just about anything. Give it time. It needs to reach a critical mass level in your tank and then the growth levels just explode.

 

[SLUGZ]

here is the link to that gel crap:

http://www.hotwww.com/hightide/store/cat_coralgel.htm

I think I may be going too fast at this rate.. Since I have no coral yet I haven't been using any supplements yet.. confusing all the different brands types of stuff out there..

Haven't heard of ESV.. I'll add that to my list of research..

I'll let nature take it's course over the next few months..

rc

 

[reefland]

:lol:

That is some funny stuff. Totally not needed.

 

[Reefguide]

I have had great sucess with Reef Vital DNA for Coraline and also did a kick a$$ job with an Ich problem I had...

I dropped a powerhead in a while back and within 3 weeks was covered in coraline... I dose Reef Vital daily religiously from day one (almost 2 years).

Good luck !

 

[Cory]

Did you read the directions on that gel. I'm still laughing my a#$ off, it says coraline will grow if all other conditions are right. If all other conditions are right you dont need anything to grow coraline. Sounds like Snake Oil to me. I have seen the quickest results with dosing Kalk. I have tried many two part supplements, and while they also work fine I have found the quickest and best results with regular kalk dosing.

 

[SPC]

Posted by Reefguide:

I have had great sucess with Reef Vital DNA for Coraline and also did a kick a$$ job with an Ich problem I had...

-What do you suppose is in that Reef Vital DNA that helps coraline to grow and cures Ich?
Steve

 

[Cory]

I pulled this off Mark's web site this pretty much says it all? huh?


"PROVIDES MISSING COMPOUNDS THAT ALLOWS PRESENTLY ÒINVISIB PLEÓ ORGANISMS TO NOW GROW, THRIVE AND ADD COLOR AND BEAUTY TO YOUR LIVE ROCK!"


Those missing compounds must also help fight ich, Bonus!, LOL!

 

[Reefguide]

SPC & Cory,

What you think I'm wasting my time with the Reef Vital?

 

[peterh1975]

Get a bottle of spray can consisting of red,blue,green,pruple....I am tired of waiting fro my corraline. Last time i posted about this all I got was replies of how great others were doing!!LOL 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SPC]

Posted by Reefguide:

SPC & Cory,

What you think I'm wasting my time with the Reef Vital?

-I'm not sure, I was trying to decide for myself and thought maybe you could help me out.
Steve

 

[Reefguide]

I Started using Reef Vital because it was recommended to me by The LFS to help cure my Blue, and Yellow Tang from Ich. They were really bad ! Without doing anything else besides the Reef Vital the tangs quickly cleared up. After that I also had a huge increase of Coraline algea growth. I'm pretty damn positive it was the Reef Vital. I haven't heard many people take about the product, but I'm convinced.

Cory seems to think otherwise. Just curious as if he'd like to elaborate.

 

[Dewman]

Sligz, Peter1975...

The BEST and QUICKEST way to get Corraline algae to grow is TIME and Patience. I know that's not what you want to hear. I'm sorry. Like everyone else said try to keep your calcium as high as possible (mine's 440) and keep your DKH steady.

Seriously, it's something I have had to learn too (patience). I know it's tough looking at those bare walls, but it will happen. You should start seeing growth anywhere from 2 months, to 6 months. I have heard of some people not growing it for longer. It takes time and it will happen eventually.

I got the best growth when I found a piece of rock with a some on it, and I pointed a powerhead at that patch of corraline. I can't be sure, but I think it spread it somehow. It is a suggestion I got from looking at the archives on this board.

 

[flameangel1]

The best way (IMO ) to get coraline to grow in your tank is- get a few pieces of coraline covered cured rock-keep your water parameters stable, do your water changes-have plenty of circulation in the tank, 10 to 12 hours daily of any decent lighting and within 2 to 4 months, it will be there !!!
In fact, within 8 to 10 months , you will be complaining because it is EVERYWHERE !!!
I even have it all over my fish "holding tanks", and they only have normal flourescent bulbs and I never do anything for calcium in those tanks. Just water changes.

 

[aquarist=broke]

SLUGZ,

Another thing that I really got some results quicker (This cost's money) was when I purchased the Nature's Ocean Bio-active Live sand and added it to my tank. There's these little pink particles that are similar to the pink coraline. I'd say that in a week the pink was growing where the water of the powerheads was hitting glass or rock. It has happened twice for me when I had restarted tanks(Not because of tank problems. I had to move). It definately was a sure shot, but with all the new substrate, I did have algae blooms as well.

It works, but It also doesn't work. I keep forgetting to mention that I had two PC65watt bulbs and dripped kalk as make-up water.

Good luck...

 

[SLUGZ]

I know it takes time, was just curious if there was any additives that I needed to be adding that I wasn't... Sounds like I just need to watch/keep up my alk/ca levels... with an addition of kalk I think I will be ok.. ca levels are around 400..

thanks!!
rc

 

[flameangel1]

SLUGZ,
The less additives you add to a tank, the better !!!
(By the way, I have not used Kalk in years.)