How do you get Coraline Algae in your tank?

[Saltwater_Reefing]

I have had my saltwater tank since October with fish and I was wondering how much longer until I get it or how to get it. When I got my tank I got live purple rock and the purple is standing to go away.

 

[paxton.rock]

I have had my saltwater tank since October with fish and I was wondering how much longer until I get it or how to get it. When I got my tank I got live purple rock and the purple is standing to go away.

Purple Helix Coraline Algae in a bottle. $20 on Amazon. 1 bottle per 50 gallons. Pour it in and wait. Takes 2 weeks to 2 months. Works wonders!!!

 

[Jamie814]

When I got my tank I got live purple rock and the purple is standing to go away.

What rock did you get? Most of the rock sold now is not live nor does it have real coralline on it. In order get coralline going to need to add it to your tank by getting some scrapings from an established tank or some snails that have shells with coralline growing on them. You can also by some cheap frags that have some growing on the frag plug or base.

 

[mrpontiac80]

I have had my saltwater tank since October with fish and I was wondering how much longer until I get it or how to get it. When I got my tank I got live purple rock and the purple is standing to go away.

Live or life? Caribsea life rock and other brands too are man made rocks painted to look more pleasing while you cycle. Coraline will come in on frags of coral, snail shells and such

 

[Saltwater_Reefing]

Live or life? Caribsea life rock and other brands too are man made rocks painted to look more pleasing while you cycle. Coraline will come in on frags of coral, snail shells and such

The rock was purple and it was in a container of saltwater in the back of the store and I have a few corals that came with it on the plate but it hasn't gone anywhere around the tank.

 

[dstockwell]

Whatever my gulf Live rock can spread

 

[Lavey29]

The tank environment needs to be stable and mature enough to support coralline growth. Typically around 6 or 8 months coralline first appears on plastic parts like powerheads long before it shows on rocks.

 

[TheBear78]

Patience.
If there is any corraline on a frag, snail, rock anywhere it will eventually spread.
I've read posts on here where people have seen it after 3 or 4 months, others over a year. I had several patches after about 7 months but then it stopped spreading. Just recently it appears to be growing again which I assume is just part of the tank maturing and nutrient levels stabilising.

 

[Spare time]

Sounds like it went away from either being eaten (from an urchin) or because you are not testing alk, calcium, and magnesium

 

[HomebroodExotics]

Snail shells and coral frags

 

[TheBear78]

Or there was plenty of testing but a reluctance to chase numbers for the sake of an ultimately unnecessary algae, rather than just let the tank mature...

 

[Lavey29]

Or there was plenty of testing but a reluctance to chase numbers for the sake of an ultimately unnecessary algae, rather than just let the tank mature...

I agree it is unnecessary just cosmetic really but it gives you a good indication of your ecosystem status. You are correct also with tank maturity being key. My tank went through an evolution at the one year point and became much more stable and predictable.

 

[Reeflix]

i would wait until your tank gets it. my tank is 8 months old and corraline just showed up. putting it in the tank prematurely means that you wont really know when your tank is acctually stable enough where it would support corals (not saying that you cant get coral until it shows up)

 

[Saltwater_Reefing]

Sounds like it went away from either being eaten (from an urchin) or because you are not testing alk, calcium, and magnesium

calcium 440, alk 8 I don't know my magnesium

 

[sghera64]

Lugol's - I make my own from Iodine crystals, Potassium Iodide, water and about 3% ethanol. But watch out for what you wish for. . . . you might get it. .. . all over your glass, pumps, sand and everything.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Coralline algae needs steady water chemistry. I run 450 cal 10 dkh 1450 mag. I daily dose. Once I nailed this it took 2 months to have 75% covered glass Rock 25% . Word of warning! Be careful what you wish for. Once it starts there's no turning back and the more it eats cal and alk. The more you have to dose to keep up, then the more it grows! A never ending cycle.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

 

[Brian Berry]

The rock was purple and it was in a container of saltwater in the back of the store and I have a few corals that came with it on the plate but it hasn't gone anywhere around the tank.

My tank took about 6 months to start to see the Coraline algae. Going on 8 months and it’s now growing on the rocks now at a good rate. I introduced snails, corals and put the purple Coraline algae in a bottle. Whichever way it just needs to be introduced and time/correct water parameters.

 

[Peter Houde]

Seed with Purple Helix. Actinic light (blue if LED), diffuse daylight OK but nothing intense. Temp >76 F. Ca++ >385 (dose daily). Patience.

 

[Philip Chin]

Purple Helix Coraline Algae in a bottle. $20 on Amazon. 1 bottle per 50 gallons. Pour it in and wait. Takes 2 weeks to 2 months. Works wonders!!!

How do you maintain the coraline algae so it does not fade away?