coralline algae question

What are good parameters for coralline growth. I've so far gotten mixed opinions. One guy told me to get a powerhead and blast it on the surface you want the coralline to grow on....? Is this a plausible statement? And how good do my lights have to be. Currently i think i have some compact fluorescent 13 watt in my 12 gallon. (I currently dont have any coral, just live rock, fish, and inverts. And i wont get any coral till the lighting is better) But besides this point, is that light good enough for coralline growth. I've never grown coralline so, suggestions and tips to get it would be much appreciated. I add calcium every once and awhile along with iodine, and strontium & molybdenum. (I make sure that im not OD'ing the tank)

thnx

Brad

 

Coralline growth will ocurr pretty much anywhere given time and the right water parameters! Growth is dictated by calcium, and light first and foremost IMO. I have coralline growing in high light areas and low light areas of my tank! It will not grow under no light though as I have found out first hand! A good calcium level adequate water flow and moderate light is best to grow the many shades of red, purple and green coralline algae. Once you get your coralline started, try "Purple Up". The stuff works awesome!

 

Does any of your current live rock have any coralline on it at all? There has to be some existing spores for it to grow. If not, you can borrow a small rock from a friends existing tank and scrape a few spores off in front of a powerhead to spread them around the tank.

One other thing....make sure your phosphates are low. High phosphates inhibit calcification.

 

How old is your tank. My tank started getting coraline in small amounts from the beginning but my LR already had it on it. My coraline didn't start covering everything until a month ago and I started in July, so it does take time. As amcarrig said, get a rock with coraline on it, scrape the coraline in front of a powerhead and that should help. You could have some of mine if you lived near me. I have too much and it's sucking up my calcium!

 

yeah, i have live rock with coralline. I think i might try the "powerhead method", hopefully that will spread it around the tank. I'll keep an eye on my phosphate levels

 

Keep in mind over time coralline will inhibit the rocks ability to filter. Many biologists suggest replacing live rock every 3-5 years, along with the sand bed.

 

you have an excellent point there! coralline seems kind of smooth compared to the way live rock is.