coraline algae ?

keith gray

keith gray

Member
I know that coraline algae is supposed to be good for your tank and is of course pretty too. IS all coraline the real light purple color or is some of it darker ? I was in a fish store the other day and he had so much on the back of one of his DTs that it almost looked globbed or painted on. It was incredicly beautiful. it was a ver light purple almost pink !
I certainly have never had problem getting the green or brown stuff like anyone else, but very seldom see this very light coraline. I have some deep dark purple stuff on my rocks. Is that coraline too ? how can I get this lighter stuff to grow ?
help ....thoughts ???
 
S

saxman

Guest
Often, the different colors of coralline comes from different places. If you like the light lavender color, then you'll want to find yourself some LR from the Marshall Islands. Most of the LR you see around is from Fiji, with the predominant color being more purple/magenta. I haven't seen any in quite awhile, but Kaelini rock is SUPER colorful, sporting many different shades.
The rock in this setup is mostly Fiji:

The bluish lavender stuff in this tank is Marshall Islands:

One of the best ways to encourage coralline growth is to buffer your water, including the top-up water.
 
keith gray

keith gray

Member
I love the color in the last pic. Are you alking PH buffer or calcium buffer. My calcium stays 480-500. My PH is usually around 8-8.2
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I hope he's just referring to keeping Alkalinity (carbonate alkalinity) on the high end. Overdosing it will not produce desireable results nor will borate based buffers.
Personally, coralline has always been a PITA for me.

 
S

saxman

Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith Gray http:///forum/thread/381010/coraline-algae#post_3316994
I love the color in the last pic. Are you alking PH buffer or calcium buffer. My calcium stays 480-500. My PH is usually around 8-8.2
IIRC, we're currently using Sea Chem Reef Buffer. We add a small measuring spoon to each 5 gals of RO/DI and bubble it. I need to check how much it is, but it's not very much (it's one of those spoons that have names like "dash" rather than a volume). I do know Renee (Cranberry) figured out how much to use based on dosage directions.
 
keith gray

keith gray

Member
I could try some Seachem buffer, but it seems my numbers run pretty good. I do add som PH buffer periodically in my top off but thats it. I cant really add any more rock it is packed now. My son's biocube has some nice coraline on the rocks but I can't really take them out to scrape off some into my tank, his is full of corals and it would just make a heck of a mess to dissassemble it.
I use reef crystals and keep my salinity at 1.028-1.029. This keeps the calcium at almost 500 most of the time. I have never tested for magnesium. I don't want the calcium to get so high that it drops due to fallout or whatever they call it.
Hey Bang Guy just send me your side glass on your aquarium, lol. I would like to have the back of my tank look like that.
Maybe I can increase the Ph buffering - what does anyone think of that ?
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
No need to take the rock from son's tank, look for a snail or small shell that has some on it. Just need to scrape some off to add the spores to your tank.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I'm a proponent of balanced Calcium and Alkalinity levels. If you push the Alkalinity too far you can cause a precipitation event and that can be harmful. Nothing wrong with keeping ALK on the high end but you'll need to test more often to protect against overdosing.
 
J

jstdv8

Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///forum/thread/381010/coraline-algae#post_3317001
I hope he's just referring to keeping Alkalinity (carbonate alkalinity) on the high end. Overdosing it will not produce desireable results nor will borate based buffers.
Personally, coralline has always been a PITA for me.


holy crap, an urchin would have a hay day in your tank LOL
 
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