coraline algae

[DS5000]

I have read importance of coraline algae in reef tanks. I have a 45gal Red sea 170 cube, and looking to set up mixed reef tank.

Novice question here - i have seen pics of tanks with coraline algae covering all the glass, back of the display. Ideally I want a 'clean' look to my tank when everything is said and done.
How realistic is it to achieve a strong coraline presence (ie over the aquascape) but keep the display glass sides, back panal clear of coraline algae?

 

[fishguy242]

hi,just leave enough room behind your scape to clean as you would front

 

[Pistondog]

I have read importance of coraline algae in reef tanks. I have a 45gal Red sea 170 cube, and looking to set up mixed reef tank.

Novice question here - i have seen pics of tanks with coraline algae covering all the glass, back of the display. Ideally I want a 'clean' look to my tank when everything is said and done.
How realistic is it to achieve a strong coraline presence (ie over the aquascape) but keep the display glass sides, back panal clear of coraline algae?

Easy, just use a scraper or old credit card to scrape off.

 

[Reef.]

Doable, you just need to keep on top of cleaning the parts where you don’t want it, the silicone seals are hard to get totally clean.

Just look at many of the tank of the months on here, all of those will have and can grow coralline algae but many clean it off the back etc.

 

[rkpetersen]

Yes, easily accomplished if you don't pile rocks against the back wall and leave enough room for a scraper.

 

[G Santana]

Welcome to R2R

 

[rkpetersen]

Some coralline algae tips:
If possible, get some scrapings from another hobbyist's tank, and use that to seed your new tank.
The coralline algae in a bottle products work; the coralline algae-promoting products, without actual algal cells, don't.
Coralline algae likes many of the same conditions as SPS corals; in particular, moderate-high alk, calcium and magnesium.
Old references recommended supplementing strontium to encourage coralline algae growth; I haven't seen anyone suggest it recently but I haven't seen it refuted either. It definitely doesn't hurt, if used at low dose.

 

[JRAD]

Coralline algae on your rocks can help out compete nuisance algae. If you don’t want it on the walls of the tank just scrape it off! Will seed more coralline onto your rocks!