How to get coralline algae in your tank?

[dbyrt]

I was wondering if someone from Canada can tell me why I can't find coralline algae spores, I'm having a hard time find some to grow in my tank.

 

[Reefahholic]

I was wondering if someone from Canada can tell me why I can't find coralline algae spores, I'm having a hard time find some to grow in my tank.

You need to make sure that the chemistry is dialed in. After that just keep it stable and introduce a snail with coralline algae on the shell. Given enough time and stability it will populate. Some tanks quicker than others. Some tanks heavier than others. Coralline algae is one of the biggest mysteries in this hobby. Nobody really knows the exact mechanism that makes it explode in one system while in another it’s very minimal, but yet both have similar chemistry. Either way, you should get “some” if you keep it stable and your major elements are in check. I’d argue that trace elements definitely play a role and help contribute to a nice population.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

As mentioned above, it will make its way into your tank eventually, if your parameters are spot on.

But to answer your question, if you specifically want to buy algae spores and try to speed up the process, most fish stores carry Purple up. But again, if your tank conditions do not support coraline growth, then you are wasting money.

 

[slingfox]

Go down to your LFS and either buy a live rock with coraline algae or ask them if they could scape some off their display tanks and you can use those scrapings to seed your tank. There are videos on YouTube that demonstrate how to seed your tank with scrapings if you want to speed the process.

 

[Reefahholic]

Purple up is a waste of money IMO. Just get your chemistry in check.

 

[dbyrt]

You need to make sure that the chemistry is dialed in. After that just keep it stable and introduce a snail with coralline algae on the shell. Given enough time and stability it will populate. Some tanks quicker than others. Some tanks heavier than others. Coralline algae is one of the biggest mysteries in this hobby. Nobody really knows the exact mechanism that makes it explode in one system while in another it’s very minimal, but yet both have similar chemistry. Either way, you should get “some” if you keep it stable and your major elements are in check. I’d argue that trace elements definitely play a role and help contribute to a nice population.

I agree that is the best way to get it, however my fish store's live rock had none on it and his display tank was void of it. none of his snails have any on them but it a few bubble bee snails too.

 

[dbyrt]

As mentioned above, it will make its way into your tank eventually, if your parameters are spot on.

But to answer your question, if you specifically want to buy algae spores and try to speed up the process, most fish stores carry Purple up. But again, if your tank conditions do not support coraline growth, then you are wasting money.

I looked up purple up, and not sure it will work since I have no sign of coralline algae

 

[dbyrt]

Go down to your LFS and either buy a live rock with coraline algae or ask them if they could scape some off their display tanks and you can use those scrapings to seed your tank. There are videos on YouTube that demonstrate how to seed your tank with scrapings if you want to speed the process.

I would if my LFS would have any