Coralline Algae Growth

olsenjb

olsenjb

Member
Recently converted my freshwater to a reef. I have passed through the various "bad algae" stages, and the tank is cycled. All parameters are where they should be. Just wondering how long it takes before significant coralline growth occurs? I run 4x65W PCs, and supplement my tank with SeaChem's Reef Builder, Reef Complete, and Reef Plus. These supplements provide calcium, magnesium, strontium, and other trace elements. Are there any other supplements or boosters to get the ball rolling?
 
byrself

byrself

Member
that's about all you can do imo. just be sure to check alkalinity and keep it between eight and fourteen dkh. if you are dosing the seachem stuff right and the alk is where it needs to be, you will start to see spots soon enough. takes a while to start but once it does it goes at a pretty steady pace. the nuisance algae will need to clear but it sounds like you are straight with that. just keep your levels in range. keep an eye on alk and ph regularly.
 
nicenakago

nicenakago

Member
Sorry I bought my LR with pleanty of coraline on it already... But how do you get rid of the nuisance algae? just snails and crabs and stuff?
 
olsenjb

olsenjb

Member
Thanks. I pretty much have the bad algae taken care of, and now I am just waiting for the coralline growth to begin.
 
broomer5

broomer5

Active Member
olsenjb
Sounds like your tank is primed and ready ... but I just have a couple quick questions to toss back at ya.
Do you have live rock in the tank now ?
If so, does this live rock have some good coralline algae growth on it already ?
I'm guessing yes to both questions - but thought I would ask ;)
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
I also use the seachem products to establish levels of calcium and alkalinity. I use plus & complete for calcium & trace elements about once a week. The seachem reef builder/advantage/buffer I use on a rotating schedule(1 gal daily) these primarily establish levels of calcium and alkalinity...and stabalise ph at 8.3.In addition I drip kalk nightly to help maintain my levels.
I've found that the best way to excelerate coraline algae is to maintain calcium around 400-450 ppm...alkalinity around 2.8-3.5 meg/l.In addition a good source of coraline to start with helps. I always look for smaller piecies of LR that are covered...take one and position it in the direct flow of a power head....it will help spread the spores thru-out your system.
The correct levels...a quality source...and good circulation will provide ideal conditions for the stuff to spread.
Be patient...you sound as though you've got the conditions stable...it will start to spread..........HTH
:cool:
 
olsenjb

olsenjb

Member
Thanks to all for the great advice. I have some nicely covered pieces of LR that I am hoping will seed and spread out over my other rock.
 
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