Coralline Algae in a Bottle Experiment

[Scubajunior]

So I haven't found an definitive answer on rather Coralline Algae in a Bottle works as intended. Seems split. I have seen videos and pictures saying it works so I thought I'd have my own "experiment" to see if it worked for me. I just started a new tank with reef saver rock. Everything is new inside of the tank, so no coraline at all. I have no snails with coralline either. My parameters are at the required measurements for optimal growth according to their sheet. I followed directions perfectly. I will keep this updated with new pictures as signs of coraline growth begin.


Start of test

 

[Pdash]

You are going to need some nitrate and phosphate or it wont grow. That's my experience anyway, as well as just making sense.

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

I'd love to see an analysis of the contents of their bottle. First bottle did nothing. Complained on Amazon and without any comms or email they sent a second replacement bottle. The second bottle had a dime size chunk of coraline algae pebble in it. Made me question the product.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

I used the Arc purple and pink bottles with dry rock and fish only till it grew. It worked for me with no other possible source of coraline.

 

[Pdash]

I believe they state that some of the strands they use will quickly adhere to the bottle in shipping, so they have it on a surface instead, and others don't so they ship them free floating in the bottle. Some batches lack the first. At least that's their explanation.

 

[Streetdoc77]

A small piece of coralline encrusted liverock from Your lfs should do or when ya get some corals scape off the coralline off the plugs or if ya know any reefers scape some off there glass and add to your tank .

 

[AlgaeBarn]

I'd love to see an analysis of the contents of their bottle. First bottle did nothing. Complained on Amazon and without any comms or email they sent a second replacement bottle. The second bottle had a dime size chunk of coraline algae pebble in it. Made me question the product.

The purpose of the pebble of coralline algae is to function as an indicator. If the pebble has faded to white, the bottle has expired. The primary inoculation method is the spores in the bottles. It typically takes 6-8 weeks for results. You will need to monitor Ca and Alk

 

[Billldg]

Oh, it works very very well. Curious to see how the blue looks.

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

The purpose of the pebble of coralline algae is to function as an indicator. If the pebble has faded to white, the bottle has expired. The primary inoculation method is the spores in the bottles. It typically takes 6-8 weeks for results. You will need to monitor Ca and Alk

Thanks for the info. I make to make clear it wasn't your companies product. It was another's.

 

[Patrick Fox]

ive been back and forth on the idea of bottled corraline for a longtime. the reviews are literally all over the board. so ill be following along to see how it goes for you. thanks!

 

[AlgaeBarn]

I believe they state that some of the strands they use will quickly adhere to the bottle in shipping, so they have it on a surface instead, and others don't so they ship them free floating in the bottle. Some batches lack the first. At least that's their explanation.

They/We include a bottle brush with all the orders of Coralline algae. This brush is for scrubbing all of the coralline spores off the sidewalls as they will settle and start growing on the side of the bottle.

The indicator stone is supposed to be purple or pink and indicate bottle viability.

 

[Pdash]

They/We include a bottle brush with all the orders of Coralline algae. This brush is for scrubbing all of the coralline spores off the sidewalls as they will settle and start growing on the side of the bottle.

The indicator stone is supposed to be purple or pink and indicate bottle viability.

Ahh cool, I didn't know which brand the OP was referring too, and I had read what I repeated here maybe 4 months ago off a bottled coralline product company's website, before I gave it a spin.

 

[ReefRy]

Side note, Scuba: that aquascape is great, the design really caught my eye!

 

[AlgaeBarn]

Ahh cool, I didn't know which brand the OP was referring too, and I had read what I repeated here maybe 4 months ago off a bottled coralline product company's website, before I gave it a spin.

I assume they were talking about Arc Reef Purple Helix/Pink Fusion. They are the only live coralline in a bottle product that I know of.

 

[AZMSGT]

I had bought Arc purple and after reading this I’m pretty certain mine was dead on arrival. The chips in the bottles were white. Of course when it arrived it was 108 outside so I’m sure that had something to do with it.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

I had bought Arc purple and after reading this I’m pretty certain mine was dead on arrival. The chips in the bottles were white. Of course when it arrived it was 108 outside so I’m sure that had something to do with it.

Usually, only one side of the chips have coralline coverage. I'm pretty sure they break a plate with coralline all over it.

Did you purchase it from us? If so, please reach out to us and we will get you taken care of.

If you bought from ARCReef direct, you should reach out to them, they will get you taken care of.

 

[Scubajunior]

I used the Arc purple and pink bottles with dry rock and fish only till it grew. It worked for me with no other possible source of coraline.

That's good to know. I have now had it running for a month and a half. No signs of growth for me. I did just add some coral a week ago that had coralline so the "experiment" is tainted now. Parameters have been close to what they recommend. PH has been 7.9 the whole time though. And phosphates and nitrates have been undetectable. Not sure how much that would effect it but I'm sure it does some.

A small piece of coralline encrusted liverock from Your lfs should do or when ya get some corals scape off the coralline off the plugs or if ya know any reefers scape some off there glass and add to your tank .

Yeah it looks like that's the route I'm going to have to take. Was worth a try for the sake of science lol

ive been back and forth on the idea of bottled corraline for a longtime. the reviews are literally all over the board. so ill be following along to see how it goes for you. thanks!

Well I don't have any conclusive evidence cause I didn't get an coralline yet. However my parameters warrant completely ideal to their recommendation.

I assume they were talking about Arc Reef Purple Helix/Pink Fusion. They are the only live coralline in a bottle product that I know of.

Yes that's the product I used.

 

[Scubajunior]

Current picture of the tank. I also had a small diatom bloom after adding the coralline.

 

[Bret Brinkmann]

You low nutrients but you don't want NO nutrients or it will never grow. I recommend raising nutrients to 0.10 ppm minimum phosphates and between 1-5 ppm nitrates. Also look into your alkalinity before raising pH.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

Current picture of the tank. I also had a small diatom bloom after adding the coralline.

If you wanted to run a true experiment the frags you added will skew your results. You'll never know if the bottle worked or if spores came in on the frags...