getting coraline algae started

[flyline]

i know i have read this before but i cant find it what do i need to do to get my coraline algae started? what do the water paramiters need to be? i have some live rock with it on it and some base rock but i want its to grow on the base rock? also i am running 150 watt metal hilides 2 hours a day on a 20 gal with a 10 gal refugium. any help would be apreciated. thanks

[Woodstock]

Water Parameters

Your water should meet the recommendations in the link above. Proper levels of calcium, alkalinity, and low phosphates are especially needed for all calcifying plants/animals. Lighting is important but doesn't have to be intense... I have a 19 watt sump bulb that grows coralline like crazy.

[Witfull]

careful what you wish for~

[flyline]

thanks for your help it is apreciated

[lcstorc]

LOL to Witfull's comment.
I completely agree. I remember well the days of wishing for coraline and now it is everywhere. I have to scrape the glass at least twice a week and that is on a tank less than a year old.
From what I understand other than having good water parameters the other thing is that coraline breeds more coraline. If you water is in good shape you may want to try scraping just a bit into the water column or onto one of your base rocks. That may help seed it with the spores and encourage growth.
I have several rocks in my tank that were put in as base rock which are now covered with coraline and again that is in less than a year.
Just curious but why only 2 hrs per day for your lights? Do you also have other lighting that is on longer? This may well have nothing to do with the coraline, (again I am relatively new so I really don't know) but I was just curious. I know I had lots of coraline growing with my old PC lighting so if you have that for a longer period with the halides you should certainly be in good shape as far as enough light for the coraline.
Best of luck.

[Charlie97L]

are you still cycling? i think that might be why he has a short photoperiod.

corraline just takes time. after about 6 months, it'll be everywhere. it's just like SPS coral, the bigger it gets, with more branches, the faster it grows, because it has more points of origin for new growth.

[flyline]

yes im still cycling thats why the lights arnt on much im trying to get the coroline algea used to the lighting. thanks for all the help guys

[BoomerD]

Originally Posted by Witfull

careful what you wish for~

That's for sure...you JUST might get what you asked for...then you can gripe about having to scrape it off the glass like everyone else!!

Remember these "nuggets" of information:

The good things in this hobby take time. ONLY the bad things happen fast.

NEVER do the math...it's BAD for the hobby!

Coralline algae needs good calcium, good alkalinity, and moderate light to grow. Doesn't have to be MH lights, but it will grow fine with them.
Give it time...PATIENCE young jedi...

[RanRoc]

I totally agree with all previous comments and suggestions. even the warnings to be careful what you wish for! but especially the ones about being patient...young jedi!
-RY

[Woodstock]

You'll get the coralline... just wait My sump/refugium light stays on 24/7 and the actinics on the main display are on for 14 hrs, MH for 7 hrs. My water is perfect.... both the sump/refugium and the display are covered with coralline!

[Charlie97L]

Originally Posted by flyline

yes im still cycling thats why the lights arnt on much im trying to get the coroline algea used to the lighting. thanks for all the help guys

if you're still cycling, just focus on getting the water paramenters correct and stable. corraline will take at least a few months to really start establishing itself, no matter what you do.

[latuttle]

My coralline is also coming in slowly - my tank has been up for about 2 months. I know what the problem is with mine though... my hermits love to eat it as fast as it grows :/

[sandman3467]

This LINK is another topic on coraline alge we discused back in 05.Hope this helps you too.