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FAQs about Red Calcareous and Coralline Algae Reproduction & Propagation

Related Articles: Coralline Marine Algae, Red Algae in GeneralAvoiding Algae Problems in Marine System, Algae Control, Marine Maintenance, Nutrient Control and Export, Marine Scavengers, Snails, Hermit Crabs, Mithrax/Emerald Green Crabs, Sea Urchins, Blennies, Algae Filters, Ctenochaetus/Bristle Mouth Tangs, Zebrasoma/Sailfin Tangs, Skimmers, Skimmer Selection, Marine Algae, Coralline Algae, Green Algae, Brown Algae, Blue-Green "Algae"/(Cyanobacteria)Diatoms, Brown Algae

Related FAQs: Coralline Algae 1Coralline Algae 2, Coralline Algae 3, Coralline Algae 4, Coralline Algae Identification, Coralline Algae Behavior, Coralline Algae Compatibility/Control, Coralline Algae Selection, Coralline Algae Systems, Coralline Algae Nutrition, Coralline Algae Disease, Red Algae in General, Red Algae 2, Red Algae 3, Red Algae Identification, Red Algae Behavior, Red Algae Compatibility, Red Algae Selection, Red Algae Systems, Red Algae Nutrition, Red Algae Disease, Red Algae Reproduction/Propagation, Marine Macro-Algae, Use in AquariumsMarine Algae ID 1, Marine Algae ID 2, Marine Algae Control FAQs II, Marine Algaecide Use, Nutrient Limitation, Marine Algae Eaters, Culturing Macro-Algae; Controlling: BGA/Cyano, Red/Encrusting Algae, Green Algae, Brown/Diatom Algae

Coralline algae 6/25/12
Hi, my name is Jason Rector,
<Hello Jason>
 I have used your site many time for issues
regarding my saltwater tank in the past. My question is I have had my saltwater tank broke down for the last year since I was moving and was in an apartment for a short time I did not have the room for my tank. Now that I have set my tank
back up, its been up for a month now, I looked at the rocks today and there was coraline algae growing, my question is, is this possible with this rock being dry for almost a year, some was even outside in the sun cause my brother thought it was neat in his flower bed.
<Possible but not common.  Seeing is believing. James Gasta (Salty Dog)>

Help with coralline 6/14/12
<Hello Andy>
First off my name is Brian I am in Virginia . My tank is about 3 years old since I dove hardcore into it to cure high nitrates and phosphates. I worked really hard to get my nitrates down from 160ppm. Took a lot of water changes but they are now down to a steady .75 on the new Red Sea Coral test kit. They have not been above 2ppm in 6months to a year. Phosphates are down to a steady .06 still trying to get to that .02 mark by running GFO.  I cannot get coralline algae to grow. I have introduced several different strains from different places and nothing. I tried scraping a piece over a power head  every day for a month I have a few spots on some rocks but it never grows, it never dies. I was dosing 2 part and have now switched to Kalk to try that. For the last year I have kept a steady Ca 430, Alk 9.3 Mag is 1550( high, my mistake on OD) was running at 1350. What else can I do?
Here is a run down of my tank and set up.
I feed frozen foods every 3rd day rinsed with ro/di water
I do a 5-7g water on Sunday and Thursday
55g
20g long sump/refugium 8" water
Red Sea Coral Pro Salt
Calcium 430
Alk 9.3dkh
Mag 1550
Nitrates .75
Phosphates .06
Nitrites 0
Ammonia 0
SG 1.026
Temp 78-80
Warner Marine MF 181 Kone Skimmer
Hydor Wavemaker 2 Hydor 2's on back pointed towards center surface 1 Hydor 2 that runs during lights on in middle of tank pointed center surface Mag drive 3 return
1 Phosban Reactor with BRS GFO changed every 2 weeks
1 Phosban Reactor with BRS ROX.08 changed every 2 weeks
Nova Extreme Pro 6x 54w T5HO ATI Bulbs changed 8 weeks ago 10hrs a day <What is the Kelvin make up of the lamps.  Coralline needs blue light in the form of actinic.>
roughly 60-70lbs of live rock
4” DSB
1 Bubble Tip Anemone
1 Maroon Clown Yellow Strip
1 Royal Gramma
2 Green Chromis
1 Six Line Wrasse
1 Diamond Goby
New clean up crew of snails
1 Kenya Tree
1 Toadstool
1 Finger Leather
2 Frogspawns
1 rock of Xenia
1 rock assorted mushrooms
1 rock of assorted Zoas
sump
20 Mangroves and other various macro’s
12x12 3" dsb
live rock and pod condo
6500k daylight bulb 27w(100w) runs at lights out
<May want to read through our Coralline Algae Reproduction & Propagation FAQs here.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/corlinepropfaqs.htm>
Thanks for the Help
<You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>
Brian Vass
Re Help with coralline 6/15/12
Thanks for the reply.
<Welcome.>
 I will read through the write up. To your question about light I running the following lights. Not in this order but the 6 bulbs are
ATI 1 Coral Plus
ATI 2 Blue Plus 
ATI 2 AquaBlue Special 12k
ATI 1 True Actinic 420nm
<Mmm, should be very suitable for growing coralline.  Do read where the link led you.
James (Salty Dog)>

Calcium gluconate irritating polyps? -- 12/29/11
Hi wonderful experts!  I have a mystery, and I'd love to know if anyone has a thought on this.
<Let's see>
I have read here and elsewhere that calcium gluconate is a wonderful coraline algae stimulant,
<Mmm, can be... depends on the make-up of the system, water... not a "blank check" to boosting coraline, and does have its limits>

so I bought a bottle from a well known, highly respected maker of reef chemicals.  I recently set up a smallish tank containing only star polyps, Zoanthids, and a few mushrooms.
<These organisms are all strongly chemically allelopathogenic... best for you to search, read re on WWM>
 They are all thriving.  But several weeks ago, when I added a recommended does of calcium gluconate for the first time,
<How was this added? Should only be done in a dissolved state...>

all of the star polyps snapped shut and remained closed for the rest of the day.  A week later the same thing happened.  Yesterday I added the normal dose (my third time doing it, though now with some hesitation!).  Then I got stupid... my wife (her fault, of course!) asked me a question, I answered it, and without thinking I added a second spoonful to the tank, <As a solid; mistake>
thus giving it a double dose.  Well... the reaction was swift and violent. 
All star polyps snapped shut.  But this time, EVERY Zoanthid closed up also.  A half hour later, every mushroom had cupped up tight, showing only their undersides.  Today, a day later, everything is back to normal except for the star polyps, which are just beginning to open.  I'm strongly inclined to never use this stuff again.  Does anyone have a comment on this?  Thanks!
Tim
<Umm, irritating as added. Thoroughly dissolve before adding. Bob Fenner>

Purple Up/Coraline Algae Growth 8/1/10
Hey guys,
<Ore>
I hope everything is going well. I have a110 gallon system set up with some sps. My question is fairly simple. I dose C-balance in my tank and my Ca level is about 480 and the Alkalinity is 11. Mg. about 1180. I wanted to know if I can also use Purple Up in addition to the C-balance for more coraline algae growth.
<Your Ca level is a little high right now and adding Purple Up will just increase the Ca level as it does contain an ionic form of calcium which immediately raises Ca levels.>
Thanks,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Ore

(Another) Coralline Algae Question/Growing Coralline 2/26/10
Dear Crew,
<Joe>
Thanks again for your passion, knowledge, and time! Without these, there would be no WWW.
<You're welcome.>
This question has been asked countless times but I thought you might be able to shed some light onto my specific situation. I cannot get coralline algae to grow in my 54 gallon corner reef tank! Here are the specs: SG 1.025, pH 8.3, temp 78 degrees F, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5, dKH 8, Calcium 400 (I have not purchased a magnesium test kit yet). Tank has been up for about 2.5 years, the first two being a FO system and since 1-1-10, has been transforming into a reef. Salt used it Oceanic brand and the water is buffered RO. Lighting is provided by a single 150W HQI 14,000K bulb as well as a 20W NO actinic for an 11 hour photoperiod. I dose 2 Little Fishies brand 2 part solution for calcium/Alk. Rock is composed of 20lbs dry base rock, 10 lbs honeycomb rock from another tank (decent coralline growth), and 10 lbs live Fiji rock. I have tried scraping coralline off of the established rocks to help spread the algae (although no proof of this having an effect as far as I know).
My corals look truly amazing and the tank is a true blessing. I would just like to get some coralline on the rocks before nuisance algae has a chance to. In my previous systems, I've always had wonderful growth, sometimes without ever dosing calcium! Any help would be MUCH appreciated.
<An abundance of hermit crabs and/or a sea urchin could be your problem as they are known to eat coralline algae.
If this isn't the case, it may be the use of the liquid calcium supplement.
I've always found that dosing granular type calcium or Kalkwasser proves to be much better at increasing coralline growth than liquid products. You may want to try a product by Sea Chem or Tropic Marin, and I'm betting in a month's time you will see a difference.>
Thank you so much!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Joe

Coralline Algae'¦Differing Lighting Requirements? -- 02/25/10
Hi Crew,
<<Hey Gary>>
It's been a couple of years since I've written, but continually benefit from your site.
<<Happy to know>>
My problem is a lack of color on the rock in my display tank.
<<Oh?>>
Yet the rock in my sump is beautiful.
<<Ah>>
When I switch some of the rock between sump/display, the colorful rock now in the display will lose its color within a couple of weeks, while the rock in the sump will start showing signs of color. I am guessing it to be a lighting issue.
<<Me too'¦ Though there may be other factors we aren't aware of due to 'subtle' differences aside from lighting, betwixt the 'fuge and the display>>
Display:
150 gal; (2) 400 watt MH burning 14K's 10 hrs/day (no other lighting); approx 150 lbs LR; return from sump powered by a Dart; closed-loop is powered by a Barracuda and (2) 1" Sea Swirls; quite a variety of sps, frogspawn, xenia (weeds, but I like them),
<<Yeah'¦got my own hate-love relationship going with an incidental introduction of orange Ricordea to my SPS dominated system that are doing 'better than I want them to'>>
mushrooms, 1 small green carpet anemone, 1 BTA,
<<Mmm, dangerous just having a motile invert among other sessile specimens...much less having two different species of motile invert in the same system>>
1 ocellaris clown (sleeps in carpet, but daytime in BTA), 2 false Perculas (no interest in either anemone), 1 bi-color angel, 1 lavender tang, 1 Foxface, 1 sail fin tang. My system is about 2 1/2 yrs old.
Sump/fuge:
50 gal acrylic, divided into 3 sections. ASM G3 skimmer running 24/7; middle section (fuge) is lit using a TCP 85W 5100K CF running 24/7. It contains miracle mud, Chaeto, and LR; 3rd section is return to display. I drip Kalk+2 with my RO/DI make-up water. Any thoughts or advice is appreciated.
Gary
<<Well Gary my first impression is the difference in lighting as you suspect, though there may be more to it. I have seen tanks with high-wattage MH lighting and so much 'pink' Coralline that it was growing in layers and 'plating' off the rock. My own metal halide lighted system has an abundance of 'dark red' coralline'¦yet my fluorescent lighted refugium displays a 'bright pink' Coralline alga. It may well be that the species of coralline in your system has a preference for the 'less intense' lighting of your refugium. But I also assume the Kalk-laden make-up water is added through your sump/refugium and ponder whether this burst of concentrated bio-mineral content to this area has anything to do here. One solution to increase the coralline alga in your display might be to find a brightly lit MH display with good coralline growth and gather/scrape some of the alga to seed your system. Do also pay close attention to Alkalinity, Calcium, AND Magnesium and keep these at proper concentrations and balances. In my own heavily stocked system I utilize both a Calcium and a Kalkwasser reactor, but still find additional weekly supplementation of Bicarbonate, Calcium, and Magnesium improves the growth of my Acroporids and Coralline alga. Cheers'¦ EricR>>

Coralline Algae Issues And Substrate/corlinepropfaqs 12/4/09
Good day Bob and crew,
<And to you, Blesson>
As stated in a previous mail my 30 gallon long has been up and running for about 3 months plus.
Specs are as follows:
20 kg.s of locally available live rock
15 kg.s of crushed coral gravel
Protein skimmer for that works really well
External Canister filter
Metal halide light of 150 watts and 10000k
Nitrates 5ppm
Nitrites 0ppm
Ammonia 0ppm
Phosphate 0ppm
Calcium 440ppm
Sp.gr maintained at 1.024
Temperature 77f
Alk levels normal
Trace elements dosed regularly.
All tank inhabitants except for an unknown sp of hermit crab and an unknown snail have been shifted to a qt due to a crypt and Amyloodinium outbreak mentioned in a previous mail and are being treated with CP. Other inhabitants include a few fan worms, a Favites sp. coral, some green zooanthids, and two Goniopora sp. I do not use carbon or any phosphate removers. Should I ?
<I would incorporate a couple of units of Chemipure or a Poly Filter into the canister filter.>
40 % water changed monthly using pre-conditioned water with Red Sea brand mix. My main concern this email is the Coralline growth. The live rock was full of purple, red and green Coralline growth. I' ve seen no growth of Coralline algae on my tank walls except for the pesky green algae which my Ecsenius bicolor takes care of. Even the growth on the rock seems to be fading. Is it because of the MH?
<Likely the Kelvin temperature of the lamp. Coralline grows better under bluer lighting. You may want to consider going to a 14K lamp or add a actinic lamp to the system.>
Because it seems the Coralline exposed to light is the only one fading. The ones in the shadows are not. I see occasional new growth on the rock in the shadows itself in spots or blotch forms. I want a nice growth on the glass walls. How do I achieve this?
<As above and do maintain calcium, magnesium, and dKH levels.>
On asking my fellow reefer friend, he says he is facing the same problem and suggested on using a product called Purple Up. Should I?
<Don't waste your money. You may want to read FAQ's here.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/corlinepropfaqs.htm>
I do not have access to the Reef Builder product mentioned in many faqs.
But can try to get it, is it worth the effort?
<How are you maintaining dKH at present?>
Due to strict import regulations here in India, I do not have access to Tonga or Florida live rock. What am I to do?
The second concern is my crushed coral gravel. Its consistency is really thick. I have a two to three inch bed and the grain size is pretty big.
Around half a centimeter to more. Mainly consists of shells and crushed dead coral pieces. Is this ok or do I shift to fine sand?
<Crushed coral sand will aid in maintaining dKH levels and will be much better than the mixture you have.>
Will changing the substrate to live sand cause a cycle?
<No, not in an aged system, and don't waste your money here either, your substrate is "live", and any future substrates will soon become live. Your live rock will handle the denitrification of the system.>
Will I have to cure it as well ? If it does will the cycle be too great for the inverts ?
Thank you for your valuable time and efforts.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Blesson

Re Coralline Algae Issues And Substrate/corlinepropfaqs 12/5/09
Hi Bob and crew,
<Hello Blesson>
A special thanks to you James (salty dog) for the quick reply and the info.
<You're welcome.>
Sorry for not mentioning the dKH level . . . It is being maintained at eight. That's good right or should I aim for something a little bit higher?
<You're fine with that.>
The dKH is being maintained by dosing something called Aragamilk
<This product is designed for maintaining calcium levels.>
with immediate and time release buffer by CaribSea and Success Buff supplement by Red Sea.
<Why are you using two buffering products?>
Plus is it noteworthy to mention that the water I use itself is pretty hard to begin with . It's the only kind available here and is available after undergoing treatment from a nearby water hardness treatment plant. Guess they soften it a bit or something and make it fit for human consumption.
And regarding the use of Polyfilter, so the Activated carbon is not really necessary?
<I'd use one or the other.>
I dose Calcium and Trace elements regularly. Will that be enough for the Magnesium levels or will I need to get a supplement for that as well?
<You will need to supplement magnesium. Proper magnesium levels allow all the calcium present in the water to be utilized by calcium loving animals.>
And thanks a lot for the info on Purple Up and the Live sand, the nine hundred odd bucks is simply too much for the product and would have had to import the Live sand which costs a bomb if not for your info ! Regarding
the MH, I can stick with the existing bulb and just add on the actinic right?
<Yes, but with your size tank, it may be more economical to just replace the MH lamp, otherwise you will be using more electricity and adding more heat to the system.>
So from what you say the coralline prefer a higher colour temp a.k.a Kelvin rating?
<Yes, the growth rate is better than without.>
Thank you so much for the advice.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Blesson

Re Coralline Algae Issues And Substrate/corlinepropfaqs 12/6/09
Hi James a.k.a Salty Dog and a very good day to Bob and the rest of the gang.
<Hello Blesson>
Well I dose the CaribSea product once a month. And use the RedSea buffer when I am adding fresh water as top off. Is this alright?
<Yes, but why use two that do the same.>
The thing with the MH is that it is fixed to the hood and I am regulating the heat with a fan.
<???>
And as you guessed the evaporation rate is pretty high Electricity is not a problem as I stay in a dormitory in medical school. Getting MH tubes and Actinics is a real headache where I live and it all needs to be imported
and is a big drain on my pocket for someone who is not earning and getting everything done from his pocket money. I have however ordered for the Actinics and might upgrade the MH to 14000 k as well depending on my
budget. Will a very blue tube light serve the same purpose of the Actinics for Coralline propagation?
<If it is an actinic lamp.>
I read in the faqs that its purely for aesthetics.
<Maybe confused with moon lights?>
Will try and get the Magnesium too. Any advice on how much to add for my tank capacity?
<Follow directions on can for starters and monitor with a test kit.
Magnesium levels should be in the 1280-1300ppm range.>
And regarding the change of substrate from what I have now to crushed Coral sand, should I leave a little bit so that it seeds the new sand and makes it live or do I completely remove it?
<I'd remove portions when doing water changes. Is best to do with a siphon hose if the substrate size isn't too large. so as not to pass through. This way you will be cleaning out plenty of detritus also.>
Thanks again for the replies my friend.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Blesson

Re Coralline Algae Issues And Substrate/corlinepropfaqs 12/6/09
Hi James,
<Hello Blesson>
Sorry, kinda misinterpreted the previous mail. Somehow very weirdly got the idea you wanted me to get rid of the MH. So by just changing the bulb from the present one to the 14000 k, I can eliminate the need for the Actinic?
<Yes.>
Plus the reefer friend I mentioned in a previous mail sorta mentioned something bout the live rock. Seems almost everybody using it has been having the problem. Maybe its collected from deep water, hence its tendency
for Coralline growth in the dimly lit areas. I may be wrong though. Any ways thanks again.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Blesson

Re Coralline Algae Issues And Substrate/corlinepropfaqs 12/7/09
Good day James,
<Blesson>
Thanks for making me realise how dumb I have been by adding buffering solutions twice!
<Reading would have prevented this.>
The crushed coral is kinda really big in terms of particle size. Actually more like they &#39;re chunks not grains! Average grain size would be around one to half a centimeter! No way can I siphon it without getting the particles caught in the siphon tube. And guess I will change to the fine sand as you said.
<Did not tell you to change, but said "Crushed coral sand will aid in maintaining dKH levels and will be much better than the mixture you have.">
One portion at a time. And will the 14000k MH bulb produce enough in the blue spectrum for the coralline and white for the coral?
<Yes, and keep in mind that photosynthetic efficiency peaks at around 430 nanometers which is very close to the major spectral output of a standard 'actinic' bulb. This wavelength is always present in lamps designed for reefkeeping. The lower Kelvin temperature (6500-10000) lamps do not appear blue because the intensity of the other colors in the spectrum is much higher. As we go up in Kelvin temperature, the proportion of blue gets higher while the reds, yellows, etc. are proportionately lowered. The light loving invertebrates we generally keep seem to do better with Kelvin temperatures between 6500-14000. The Ushio link provided here will show spectral graphs of what I am saying. http://www.ushio.com/products/petcare/aqualite.htm >
Or I could manage to get hold of a 20000k bulb if it helps.
<I would not, 14K would be a good lamp for your needs, 20K lamps are more suited for deeper water light loving invertebrates. Clams especially, will not do well under this lighting.>
And yes I will get the magnesium solution too. Didn't know it could play such a vital role in the prop of Coralline.
<In most calcium loving invertebrates. Magnesium is one of the major elements of sea water.>
I didn't even know there is a test kit for measuring it either!
<Oh yes, several kits are available.>
Just shows how less I know in this hobby.
<That is why more reading and less writing is necessary.>
And regarding the mention of Actinics to grow coralline and other than that just for aesthetic purpose, think I read it in the Actinic lamp faqs section.
And nope not confusing it with the Lunar or L.E.D.s. The tube I spoke about is essentially a normal 20 watt fluorescent tube 2 ft long. Think it's coated blue or something. Read the cover and stuff but nothing mentioned about the wave length or it being an actinic.
<The term "actinic" was a poor choice to label these lamps. Photographers used this term in that lamps that were darkroom safe were commonly called actinic lamps because their spectral output had no detrimental effect on photo paper, it allowed them to see what they were doing in the darkroom without ruining photo papers.>
Thanks again James. Read the crew member faqs, you guys have got a great thing going on. A real wonderful service rendered to this hobby. Thanks again.
<You're welcome, and less writing, more reading. You will find most of your questions answered by Googling our site. James (Salty Dog)>
Blesson

Re Coralline Algae Issues And Substrate/corlinepropfaqs 12/7/09
Hi James,
<Hello Blesson>
Found the faq I was citing. Its called actinic vs blue pc lighting. Replied by wetwebber ScottV I think . . . Pls do clarify . . .
<If you are referring to "The actinic and blue bulb mentioned will do little or nothing towards sustaining photosynthetic organisms", then I personally do not agree with this, as this spectrum/wavelength is present in all lamps designed for reef systems. We just do not see it in lower Kelvin temperature lamps because the other colors of the spectrum are much higher in intensity and tend to mask the blue. I'm thinking Scott V. may be alluding to using just this type of lamp. James (Salty Dog)>

Re Coralline Algae Issues And Substrate/corlinepropfaqs 12/7/09
Hello James,
<Blesson>
Yup I understand. Will definitely read more instead of sending so many mails.
<Yes, and will provide more detail than I have the time for.>
Thanks a lot for all the help.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Blesson.

Growing Coralline Algae 5/18/09
Hello, I have a few question about how to growth coralline algae, since I always fail to growth or even maintenance the existence of coralline algae in my LR :
1. Do I need a metal halide and chiller to grow coralline algae?
<No.>
My tank 1,5 meter x 0,5 meter x 0,6 meter. Is it enough to growth coralline with 1 actinic and 1 daylight each 40 watt TL?
<Should be enough of the correct light, providing the lamps are not over eight months old.>
I don't intend to keep coral and invertebrate.
2. Because I live <love> angelfish and other big fish like wrasses, and I believe this fish give high high protein waste and then a result in high nitrate and also phosphate I believe.
<Yes.>
So base in this situation, will I success in growing coralline algae?
<Likely not, unless a protein skimmer is used. Coralline algae does not fair too well with excessive nutrients in the water.>
3. Except to add calcium hydroxide (is it the same with Kalkwasser?), is there any other supplement to growth coralline algae?
<Maintaining a calcium level of 350-400 is all that is needed in regard to supplements. Do read here.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/corallinealg.htm>
Thank you very much.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Regards,
Hengky

Re Growing Coralline Algae 5/20/09
Hi, just read about the useful of Calcium gluconate in WetWebMedia. It was said that if aquarist just want to growth coralline algae to cover all of his/her tank, this chemical is more than enough, because I only interest in growing coralline algae and not keep other coral. Is that correct?
<Yes, sugar-based calcium is an essentially safe source of calcium, but has not clearly demonstrated its effectiveness for coral growth. It has, however, been shown to greatly accelerate the growth of desirable coralline algae species.>
Is there any disadvantage of using and injecting this calcium gluconate in long term, just like if I inject CaCl2 in long term, then it will accumulates ion chloride.
<Should be no problems as to chloride ion accumulation.>
Thank you very much.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>

Re: Growing Coralline Algae 5/26/09
Dear WWM,
<Hello Hengky>
I've read that Alk will depleted in the process of calcification of the coral/coralline. Then why in organic calcium we do not need to add sodium bicarbonate to maintenance the Alk? As we do in balance two part dosage.  I've been told also by my friend and from some reefer that organic calcium method is an old method and seem to be not good again or maybe no one are implemented again since there is new method like balance two part, Kalkwasser or calcium reactor nowadays. Anybody can give a good explanation will be appreciate, although I will be very happy if A.Calfo himself want to give a better explanation about this issue.
<Anthony is no longer with us, but it would be best for you to read this article written by A. Calfo. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/calcalkmar.htm>
Thank you very much.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Regards,
Hengky

Promoting Green Coralline Algae Growth -- 04/01/09
Greetings!
<<Howdy David!>>
I have not seen any articles that describe how one might promote green coralline algae growth, rather than the purple stuff, in their saltwater tank.
<<Mmm, yes'¦I don't think anything we have/I have ever seen goes beyond the Family (Corallinacae) to describing how to culture a specific genus or species>>
Is there knowledge available on your site that covers this, and somehow I have missed it?
<<I don't think so'¦I believe what information is available is pretty generic to this Family of alga>>
Or am I on my own here in seemingly purple, uncharted waters?
<<Would seem so>>
I want green coralline in my tank, not purple!
<<You do raise some interesting questions. To culture a 'specific' Coralline algae I would think you would first, need to obtain samples of such and second, know what part of the reef niche/under what conditions (lighting, water flow, etc.) it was found'¦and then attempt to replicate those conditions in your tank. It may simply be a matter of collection or abundance, but it seems our captive systems are more suited to the red and purple Corallines, for sure>>
Thanks for your time!
David Wieberg
Ft. Worth, TX
<<Happy to share'¦ Eric Russell'¦Columbia, SC>>

Re: Promoting Green Coralline Algae Growth - 04/01/09
Thank you for your help, Eric!
<<Quite welcome David (such as it was [grin])>>
I have heard (we have all heard so many different things) that purple coralline algae is not normally found in a shallow water reef, but that green is.
<<Is a possibility'¦ It would make sense that differing genera/species might have differing needs for optimal growth>>
If that is true, then I would assume more light would contribute to the promotion of green algae over the purple.
<<Maybe so'¦ In my experience, many intensely lit tanks seem to have better Coralline growth in those areas not receiving 'direct' light. And while even in my own tank; which has metal halide lighting, the dorsal side of the rock grows less purple Coralline and does show some 'hints' of green'¦but there is no encrustation like that of the purple Corallines>>
One person I spoke with that said they have dived on reefs told me this, and said purple coralline was found in deeper water. This person said purple coralline in the aquarium was a product of not providing adequate lighting.
<<For the green Coralline? Maybe so'¦it is a fact we can't (or at least it is not practical to) provide the same lighting intensity in our tanks as that experienced on the natural reef>>
But I can't verify this information.
<<Likely it is all anecdotal at best>>
Surely someone has a start on this line of study, as to whether it takes more light or less, more water flow or less, more calcium or less, etc,.
<<Mmm'¦maybe in the scientific circles (you might try accessing a college library for such), but in the hobby circles'¦probably not so much. Most folks seem quite happy to grow the purple/red Corallines>>
I would have thought Mr. Fenner as good a source as any because of his study and experience!
<<No doubt; and he may well have some input re. If so, I'll ask him to add it here'¦>>
Any clues as to how to find out about this would be much appreciated!
<<As stated, perhaps a bit of searching at a college library>>
Thanks again!
David Wieberg
Ft. Worth, TX
<<Happy to share'¦ EricR>>

Coralline Algae Propagation   5/23/06 To whom it may concern: <Crew is good enough.> I believe that I am having trouble with the live rock in my 37G (high) tank.  I started this tank about 9 months ago, and began with 35 lbs. of Fiji live rock and live sand.  The rock had a nice, white crust over most of it, along with beautiful light purple hues.  I then added about 40 tiny crabs, and two sally lightfoot crabs, along with a feather duster.   The sally Lightfoots died months ago, and I recently added a yellow tang, which is currently the only fish in the tank.   I'm writing because yesterday I went into a local fish store, and their reef tank had live rock completely covered in beautiful crimson red coral.  My rock looks completely stripped and barren.  I'm not sure if my janitorial creatures are "overdoing" it.  I just started adding 10 cc of calcium and 10 cc of alkalinity solution per day.  Is there anything else that I can do in order to encourage beautiful looking coralline algae for my reef? <Yes, there is.  Read here and linked files above.   http://www.wetwebmedia.com/corallinealg.htm Many thanks, <You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)> Chris Re: Coralline Algae Propagation   5/23/06 James (and crew): <Chris> I appreciate the quick reply, however, I have one follow-up question for you.  The live-rock was added in August of 2005, and has subsequently been stripped of all the thick crusted coralline growth by my janitorial creatures.  If I simply follow your instructions, approximately how long will it take for me to experience full growth?  <If you maintain calcium and alkalinity along with pH, you should start noticing some growth in three to four weeks.>  Also, have I seriously hurt my tank by letting the rock get so stripped and barren for so long without any alkalinity or calcium supplementation?  <Don't think so.  If you performed water changes at least twice a month there would be enough supplements to take care of animals requiring it, but growth would be slow with calcium loving animals.> I guess that's two follow-up questions, actually. Thanks again, <You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)> Chris -Weeds!!!- Hello there, I am running a 450 litre reef tank with about 60 kilos of live rock, no sand (to speak of), skimmer, controlled injection of ozone and a wet/dry with bio-balls. 2 x 150 MH on for 10 hours a day. pH range between 8.0 and 8.2 (v stable), ammonia, nitrate and nitrite nil, winter temperature range between 26.5 and 27.5 c. <Sounds good> Fish inhabitants are Flame Angel, Mandarin, Yellow Coris (canary), small Kole and Purple tang, pair of Percula clowns, purple Blenny. Invertebrates are boxer shrimp, hammer LPS, mushroom LPS, Elegance LPS, a Duncanopsamia axifungia, one large Sarcophyton, one Lobophyton, 6" maxima clam. I feed all corals that will take it and fish well but carefully.  This setup is 16 months old and still maturing.  Current phase is experiencing quite heavy growth of Caulerpa Bryopsis which keeps getting a dusting of rust coloured "stuff" which makes it look quite scummy.  <Ew> I have two questions, 1./  Why has the Bryopsis, which seems to be reducing in overall volume, started to be covered in the rust coloured stuff (probably algae) <Sometimes it can get covered in competing algae, there's likely some sort of nutrient problem going on.> and 2./ How do I encourage coralline to start to dominate and get rid of this stuff. <Best way to get coralline to go is to make sure that you have introduced plenty of different species and to keep your calcium and carbonate hardness levels high. As for the algae problem, check out http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm and run a phosphate test. Good luck! -Kevin> I an getting really sick of weeding every second week! Thanks and regards, Michael

Cultivating Coralline Algae... Quick question. I have upgraded lighting and everything. <Excellent! Mo' money, mo' money! LOL> I am trying to see if I can get coralline algae to grow as it does in most pictures I see everyday on the net. Along with the light upgrade I also us some to part solution from two little fishies it is called C Balance and it is used as directed but still not much of a coralline increase. The lights consist of two T12 Coralife 40 watt antic 03 bulbs and two 96 watt 50/50 smart bulbs. Is it the power compacts that are killing the coralline algae? <Nah...Highly doubtful> I am having a almost perfect outcome for my fish and corals but not coralline algae. I even have amphipods growing and everything but no coralline algae. <Give it time. Coralline species require calcium, magnesium, and stable water chemistry...If you are maintaining good water conditions, you'll see it soon enough. There are corallines that adapt to a variety of current/light conditions, so be patient. If you are dead set on jump-starting coralline growth, you could use a calcium gluconate supplement, like Sea Chem's "Reef Calcium", which can really grow coralline like crazy, provided the other conditions are acceptable to it's growth. Keep in mind that overall husbandry needs to be excellent when using this "sugar-based" calcium, or it can help contribute to nuisance algae blooms as well...> I have a plate coral (had for seven months) and a goniopora(5 months) and a frogspawn (two weeks) are they taking to much calcium or is it the lights it is a 55 gallon and other than the corals I have a 2 inch tomato clown and a coral beauty. Please give me some help with this I am at a lost And thanks for the helpful years of WetWebMedia it is a great place and source of information for the rookie aquarist. <I'm glad that you enjoy the site! We love bringing it to you every day! Check out this link for more on corallines: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/corallinealg.htm Good luck! Regards, Scott F>

Coralline Algae Growth I think I am having problems with purple coralline growth. I have a 72gallon tank with 90lbs of liverock. 440 watts of PC lights. It has been up about 6 months. I have a about 30 propagated coral plugs from GARF, about 40 snails, 10 hermits, 2 cleaner shrimp and 2 serpent stars. I have a yellow tang, Hippo Tang and Tomatoe Clown. I Have been following GARF'S Bullet proof recipe ( Seachem Reef Plus, Reef Complete- Reef Builder and Reef Advantage Calcium). <All good products> I also have been adding Marks Weiss Coral Vital once a day (My LFS- Hidden Reef in Philly really believes this promotes coralline growth). <My mother always told me that "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it..."- so I will refrain from comment on this product :)> My problem is the purple coralline algae seems to come on strong for a month or two and then seems to shrink in the areas it was growing looks as it gives the appearance almost slowly pealing . It still there but it doesn't seem to spread. The next month it seems to dissipate somewhat. Any Idea why seems this way? I wasn't sure if something is eating it. My liverock has quite a bit of red coralline algae on it and the red doesn't seem to disappear and re-appear like the purple. Over the last 3 month my liverock and become predominately greenish tone/algae in the areas where there is no purple or red? What Can I do maintain the purple coralline growth that I am not already doing. Thanks in advance - Ron < I think that you are doing fine with your current methods (well-except for one product, IMHO). Note that there are different colors of coralline algae; there is nothing wrong with pink or green coralline! Keep in mind that concentrations of various nutrients are depleted as the algae grows, so be consistent with your additives, do regular water changes, monitor calcium levels, possibly magnesium. Research calcium reactors and the natural requirements of coralline algae with the resources on wetwebmedia.com. You're doing fine! Scott F.>

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