Spreading The Goods: Giving Coralline Algae A Kickstart
coralline covered aquascape image via www.fws.gov
Coralline algae is a very beneficial life form that most reefers want in their tanks. It can come in many colors and some even forms interesting branching shapes. It can encrust on just about anything. After a while, cleaning it can actually become an extra task on the weekly maintenance list. For those of you who are not to this level of growth or just starting a tank there is a great way to get those white rocks as purple as a grape.
coralline covered rock image via http://blog.marinedepot.com
LOCATING
First you will need to find some awesome colored seeder rock or rubble. If you find multicolored rocks you will have multiple colors of coralline for your tank. Gather as many pieces as you want and keep them wet until you get home.
SEEDING
Take your rocks and a razor blade and start chipping the coraline into the tank. You might consider turning off the pumps while you do this if you are trying to aim. Fish will probably try to eat it as it descends into the rockwork but that is fine. Most of them will just spit them out where you want it. If you have not yet added any animals you have an even better advantage. After you are done scraping you can through the leftover rubble in the tank as well. Leave the actinic lights on for 2 weeks solid with no darkness and the coralline that has been dumped in will have a very strong foothold in the tank in which normal maintanance will keep it on its path to overwhelming you like a good hobbyist. Do not attempt the 2 week actinic period if you have already started stocking the tank or you will stress out the animals.
scraping coralline algae image via practicalfishkeeping.co.uk
FEEDING
Aside from being photosynthetic, Coralline is hard so it loves calcium. Keeping the parameters within the safe levels on the chart is more than enough to keep it happy. Normal water changes really do the job until you start getting massive consumption from adding stony corals that require supplements. Coralline can grow on anything wet and somewhat solid. A flexible power cable can quickly become a stiff purple tube when the coralline takes off.
chart image via reefaquarium.com
CLEANING
Cleaning coralline can be a pain. A glass scraper is great on the glass but when it gets on the pumps and starts forming into a rock it can almost be impossible. Not! An hour in vinegar keeps the coralline away, well dissolves it enough to be scraped off. There is no real need to do this unless it impedes the impeller or the flow from or to it.
coralline covered glass image via blog.marinedepot.com
NATURAL CONTROL?
Yeah, things out there eat the stuff but it doesn’t really matter. Coralline grows so fast it is not even worth attempting to control it with a cleaner critter. You may occasionally see signs of it getting eaten by urchins or starfish but it will quickly grow right back. Get the thought of control out of your head before it gets in and gets covered in coralline itself. Just keep it off the glass and anywhere it may impede flow and you will be fine. Coralline is the good stuff. Hair algae is, however, something you should consult with your barber about. Oh wait, we can help you with that too!
sea urchin
To comment and see what others are saying about this topic please click here!
