Coralline Algae and the Reef Tank
Posted: Monday, February 14, 2011
by Leory Johnson
Reef College
Encrusting Coraline Algae is what a lot of people want. The more the better I say.Coralline algae exists in a variety of colors such as pink, green, white, purple, red. Unlike hair algae and red slime algae, you must physically introduce it into your tank by using coralline covered live rock, scrapings from another tank, or store bought coralline algae starter. The more types (colors) you add to your tank the more types will grow. After coralline algae starts to grow you can spread it easily by scraping some off of your front, side, or back glass. Some say to turn off filters and skimmers for an hour while leaving power heads on to spread the scrapings around the tank. However I leave all my equipment on. And never had a problem.
To keep coralline algae growing it seems to be much like keeping Stony corals, (not so much lighting wise) but water parameters. As like stony coral coralline algae is calcareous. Which makes it require the same water parameters (some people recommend lower parameters some recommend higher parameters):
Temp 74-80 Degrees
Specific Gravity (SG) 1.023-1.026
Carbonate Alkalinity (CaCo3) 2.5-4.0 meq/l (7-12 dkH)
Calcium (CA) 350-480 ppm
Strontium (SR)
Low phosphate (PO4) 0. (as close to zero as possible)
Low Nitrate (NO3) 5-0ppm. (as close to zero as possible)
Some people use different methods. Some use additives and do water changes some. Some just do water changes. Personally I don't use additives. However I have a smaller tank (55gallon). People with larger tanks, and more SPS choose to use additives. This prolongs the need for water changes, and keeps the required water parameters at desired levels in between water changes.
lighting
Coralline algae is algae and like all algae it requires light. However how much light is unknown. In my experience when my lights got old and changed color spectrum I noticed a decrease in growth. From what I've read and understand it's like most corals it will grow under a variety of lighting. I have seen it grow under PC, T5, MH, and LED. However I only have experience with PC. I also understand that some prefer higher lighting and some prefer lower lighting. This however is debatable. I say if there's light it will grow.
Animals that eat Coralline Algae:
Urchin
Crabs
Snails
Reef-safe clean-up crew
My tank parameters:
76 degrees
SG 1.024
Nitrate 0
Phosphate
No additives all levels maintained with water changes
By Joe Juliano of REEF COLLEGE
Learn all about Coral Reef Aquariums and fish
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Nice write up
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