How to Grow Coralline Algae In Your Aquarium: The Simple Truth

mdshop.us/Cora... Growing coralline algae is one of the most discussed topics among reef aquarists.
When you look online, you will find dozens of “secret formulas”, special techniques, tricks and tips for getting coralline algae to grow in a reef tank. A lot of aquarists try one method after another and never achieve the results they’re looking for.
But here’s some good news: there is no magic formula or aquatic voodoo. Growing coralline algae is quite easy-and here’s what you need to know!
#corallinealgae #crustosecorallinealgae #reeftank
-- HELPFUL SHOPPING LINKS --
Aquarium Sand & Rock: mdshop.us/Sand...
Aquarium Additives & Supplements: mdshop.us/Supp...
Aquarium Water Testing & Monitoring: mdshop.us/Testing
Aquarium Maintenance & Coral Farming: mdshop.us/Main...
-- HELPFUL EDUCATION LINKS --
Advanced Dosing - Beyond Calcium and Alkalinity: mdshop.us/Adva...
Robert's Secret Sauce For Growing Corals: mdshop.us/Secr...
Calcium Reactors, Part 1: mdshop.us/Calc...
Calcium Reactors, Part 2: mdshop.us/Calc...
Parameters to Test in Fish-Only and Reef Tanks: mdshop.us/What...
-- PHOTO CREDITS AND THANK YOUS --
slivacki at Reef2Reef
Maggie D. Johnson, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
dkeats on Flickr
-- MARINE DEPOT --
On the web: www.marinedepo...
On Instagram: / marinedepot
On Facebook: / marinedepotdotcom
On KZbin: www.youtube.co...

[@JD-zd8tm]

i mastered brown algae with my aquarium

[@johncall293]

Yeah, I’ve got a pretty good handle on it myself.

[@theboxingjunkie8205]

JD I mastered brown algae and how to kill coral

[@gunakalai6459]

Lol

[@KolkataMarineHobbyist]

Lol everyone is mastered in growing brown algae . That's the algae which will come into your tank automatically even you don't want 😂😀😀😀

[@Jay-ui3sk]

I’ve gotten past the brown and gone to master step, cyano!

[@KillerKev1961]

I use Purple Up with great results, and its important to NOT overdose. Also, CCA grows well when used with Red Sea part A and B Calcium and Magnesium supplements with the Purple Up.

[@commanderinleash6358]

Does coralline algae start off bright green?

[@Ellery-USA]

The down side of Coralline algae is that it is now competing with your corals for the basic supplements (Alk, Ca, Mg) and if you decide to clean them off suddenly can cause spikes. So it really depends on what you are looking for. Also if left unchecked on the glass it will etch the glass over time which would require polishing when torn down.

[@BulkReefSupply]

Excellent points and thanks for sharing! -Robert @ MD

[@johnwilliams4806]

Thx

[@lordraptor11]

Caribsea purple up does indeed work. I have used it in every new dry tank setup and it always works. Just make sure you shake the bottle really well prior to putting it in the tank

[@johnatella8498]

My calcium is around 600 after using reef salt and adding some Coraline Up product. I am using blue lights. My protein skimmer is taking out lots of dirt. Am using T5 lights and blue LED lights. Coraline is present but not growing. Why?

[@titus4166]

Thanks for the information. You're presentation was much this time. And I could understand you much better. Thank you!

[@PatriotTerryC]

Lol I needed that bit of humor thank you...

[@joec2174]

Lighting has a lot to do with growing cca. T5 lights use to work best with the use of purple up.

[@javiernavarra3087]

2:40 I never realized where the inspiration for Splatoon came from until now

[@samiam9059]

I made a big mistake adding concentrated calcium years ago. Was not watching or measuring like I should of. The purple is still going rampant and on the side of the 180 reef and so hard to take it down on acrylic so far. Can barely keep up with the front. Will never overdose calcium again.

[@farmanshaikh6405]

'Should have', not 'Should of'

[@Nathan-wn5mc]

Lol! This is what I hear from a lot of experienced reefers. That the secret to coraline growth is over dosing calcium. I did this in my first tank and I started getting all kinds of pink stuff that looked like Coraline but it was soft and slippery. I got paranoid and cleaned it and bought a clean up crew and didn't do it again. If it was coraline or not I will never know.

[@Kurnazify]

@@Nathan-wn5mc probably calcium precipation

[@Hdwrguy]

I already had Corraline algae growing on my live rock. I moved to a new tank and I did start to see it slowly spread. However, I wanted more and tried Kent marine Purple Tech. Within a couple months I started seeing more Corraline algae spread and was pleased. However, I then started noticing small 'bushes' of green algae that I was able to identify as green calcarous algae. Before I know it, the green algae was growing on every piece of live rock in my tank. This was NOT what I wanted. I installed a phosphate reactor and have been trying to remove it from the rock. To say this is tedious is an understatement. Be VERY aware that some products that encourage our beautiful Coralline algea, can also bring other algae that is unwanted.

[@mbhanley]

Buy some live rock with Coralline Algae, scape off and add to a blender mixed with saltwater, Calcium and Magnesium. Blend up and pour away in main display.

[@surfpanther]

Ive used purple up....never noticed anything....best results ive had is introducing it to a tank that has fully cycled and ready for coral....then just scraping a turbo snail shell

[@fdny1055]

I had the coaling algae and red cyno I would up using chemi pure.. prob a bad thing new mix reefer here.. should I try adding more from a bottle?

[@BulkReefSupply]

You will want to use Chemi-Clean to help get rid of the Cyano bacteria.

[@anthonymurphy3101]

Why does it grow faster on my back glass and overflow boxes way faster than rock??

[@BulkReefSupply]

My best guess is that the walls are essentially void of any competition making it easy for the algae to take hold. On your rocks, you are looking at other organisms competing for real estate and little microcosms of varied environment that may not be as conducive to coralline growth. Feel free to share your thoughts! -Robert @ MD

[@WhatIsMisophonia]

I'm not an expert, but I suspect water movement may have at least some influence. Water flows very easily over smooth surfaces, where as it will form little dead spots when you have rough uneven surfaces because the flow is disrupted. Where water flows more rapidly, you tend to seed algae more easily. That may seem counter intuitive, but I think the more smooth a surface is, the more it is likely to come in contact with ALL of your water and anything in it more so than a rough surface with dead spots.

[@Jflu16]

I know this doesn’t pertain to the video but what settings are you guy running on the hydra 26s on the tank in the video?

[@BulkReefSupply]

I have a slightly modified schedule based off the QUICK START setting in the myAI app. I adjusted the cool white down by about 15% and manipulated the sunrise and sunset time to match our workday here at MD headquarters. -Robert @ MD

[@Jflu16]

Thank you for the info. 👍

[@ChrisfromFL]

I didn't even try to grow CCA, and now I have to scrap it off the front and sides of my tank on about every two weeks. Now maybe I should try growing some hard corals, must be doing something right!

[@BulkReefSupply]

Give it a go! We are here to help you along the way. -Robert @ MD

[@Nathan-wn5mc]

What you should do is scrape it and put it in a solution and give it to your friends or family so they can grow some also. High doses of calcium will help achieve this.

[@Reefloco]

Love Coralline Algae on the back wall of my tank!! Ofcourse on rock as well!

[@BulkReefSupply]

Thank you for watching! We've been enjoying the shrimp and crab pics you've been posting lately.

[@Reefloco]

@@BulkReefSupply I truly love my unique inverts!! Thank you!!

[@flipfly2004]

My Coraline algae is growing in a bright orange color, is that normal?

[@fdny1055]

It’s a new strain look at arc reef website.. it’s a new form of strain

[@denisneri5466]

@@fdny1055 j

[@77blacktrip]

Excellent video 👍

[@BulkReefSupply]

Thanks for watching!

[@13Sala13]

My rocks are covered with spots of weird neon yellow. Under fluorescent lights the spots glow. Not really sure what it is.

[@BulkReefSupply]

A sponge is my first guess but would certainly need to see it in order to give you a more accurate idea. Feel free to email us with pics. [e-mail] -Robert @ MD

[@씬박한언박싱]

The color of my algae is grey. this reason is the lack of Iodine? right?

[@MARINETV]

no coralline also comes in grey colour

[@BulkReefSupply]

There are many colors; grey/green is certainly one I see often in reef tanks. You can certainly add trace elements if you are not supplementing them already to see if you get some more brilliant colors because trace elements do play a role in coloration. I cannot be certain this is the case in your tank, but it is worth a shot. -Robert @ MD

[@씬박한언박싱]

@@BulkReefSupply I appreciate answering my question. I am one of huge fans. Whenever you update new video, I would watch it and thumb up. These video are really helpful, impressive and easy understandable to keep reefing. Thank you so much.

[@씬박한언박싱]

@@MARINETV Thanks. I subscribed your channel and thumbed up.

[@robmarlett5078]

Very informative video

[@johnatella8498]

Do snails eat it?

[@boostedbadboyzx12r31]

Urchins will

[@SantaMonicaFiltration]

Yep get that phosphate down, and the pinks will turn up!

[@BulkReefSupply]

Spoken like a true algae man. :) -Robert @ MD

[@Kurnazify]

lolz should i get a algae scrubber?

[@SantaMonicaFiltration]

@@Kurnazify Well algae does consume phosphate

[@77blacktrip]

I have an algae question, but not about Coralline. I have a mix of life rock and live rock, my tank is 12 months old but I have been fighting a brown hair algae for the last 3 or 4 months. But it only grows on the life rock. Why is this happening with this product is there something I don't know?? Nitrates and phosphates are near 0 I run an algae reactor and all levels test close to normal. I'm at the end of my patience with this life rock stuff!

[@philcam9493]

What is the salinity range to grow CCA?

[@BulkReefSupply]

Any salinity level in a saltwater aquarium/ reef tank will be able to grow coralline algae.

[@philcam9493]

@@BulkReefSupply 20ppt will grow CCA?

[@kylesmith9048]

⁠@@philcam9493I know your comment is 2 years old, but I had to respond. 20 ppt?!?! Are you crazy? The salinity in any saltwater aquarium should be 1.025 sg (about 35 ppt).

[@philcam9493]

@@kylesmith9048 Captain Obvious would say 20ppt is not in reference to a reef 🪸 tank.

[@kylesmith9048]

@@philcam9493 What are you keeping in a 20 ppt tank?

[@fishstix1988]

can you grow it in a FOWLR tank?

[@BulkReefSupply]

You can certainly grow coralline algae in a fish only tank.

[@reefrockcritter8943]

Thank you

[@oxiac6006]

How do you get rid of algea

[@kingreef2160]

U shut it dow. Dumbass

[@drewslagoon]

love it!

[@BulkReefSupply]

Love you! -Robert@MD

[@drewslagoon]

Marine Depot Aquarium Supplies 😎😎🙌

[@madusonkeeper]

I've always had luck with live purple rock and purple up

[@alexanryset1404]

I have a fresh water aquarium 😂 and I have some growing

[@abh3960]

phos .50....is that ok

[@BulkReefSupply]

The recommended levels are 0.02 - 0.05 PPM. With a level at 0.50 PPM you are a little high and you will likely want to consider a way to reduce those levels. -Robert @ MD

[@natedawg9006]

I mastered green hair alage

[@anthonyhastings7730]

Does anybody have coralline algae they can scrape and send to me? I need to seed my aquarium.

[@kevinian4854]

purple up doesnt work

[@alicewonderland8611]

I bought a gsp and some Carolline algae was on the frag plug. Now it spread everywhere!

[@BulkReefSupply]

Coralline algae is good, it acts as a food source, support system and a protector. Thanks for commenting and tuning in.

[@antoniorivera9525]

Do brittle stars eat coralline algea?

[@johnatella8498]

I know sea urchins do...not sure about brittle stars

[@arilikeme]

DON’T DO IT coralline algae favorite place to grow is in the glass. not very pretty. You’re advised

[@chittychad18]

arilikeme cleaning is not that hard

[@recovery116]

@@chittychad18 bingo

[@name1thing1]

I can only think of the guy from the big bang theory...kripke..all jokes aside, good video

[@johnmarcinski7924]

STRONTIUM

[@ahmethassan9487]

This stuff is IMPOSSIBLE to grow in my tank …

[@georgeduncan5178]

does everyone want purple covered coral reef....???????

[@apdroidgeek1737]

having coralline algae is an indicator of a good reef tank... they out compete nuisance algae... people love them because it makes their reef tank looks clean and makes them looks like an expert because of how hard they can be grow

[@emadhassan5298]

احسنت

[@BulkReefSupply]

Thank you!

[@lunes-1]

The negative point is that this algae take over of everything causing toó much Cleaning to do on the equipment.i rather not having this algae On my tank. Update:I changed my mind and some coraline algae began to grow on my reef tank and look nice.

[@cmac6877]

Am I the only one NOT trying to grow it?

[@BulkReefSupply]

Id be impressed if you accomplished this with a healthy reef tank. LOL. I do agree it can get quite annoying but then again I think it is pretty much unavoidable in a healthy reef. You would need to keep the tank sterile from the get go. Feel free to keep the conversation going. -Robert @ MD

[@anchor4346]

Its a sign of good tank health. I would encourage it. the scraping is typical and part of maintenance. Be glad to have it.

[@cmac6877]

If something is in the tank that I don't want, and I didn't put there purposely, and it also uses up trace elements that the corals I do want are using - that's a nuisance algae in my opinion. Also If you decide to scrape the back glass of coralline and don't lower your dosing, well in my tank, my ALK will go from a 9.5 to 10.3ish. That's a big swing for acro's to deal with. I won't even go into the wear and tear on the pumps. Is it tough to keep out, yes, 100%. I certainly would never encourage its growth or be glad that I have it. I mainly just deal with it. So does it indicate a healthy reef? Yes. Is it a nuisance? Yes, in my opinion.

[@PazLeBon]

sea rust :)

[@abh3960]

50x3.066÷1000.....24

[@Rai_naresh80]

very long explanation, go to pointed tropic.

[@anchor4346]

The head and body bobbing is the sign of … uncertainty.. and is annoying.. relax more.

[@PaulieWalnutss]

Spoke too fast and hard to understand relax

[@BulkReefSupply]

Appreciate you guy tuning in and we are working on the camera presence. Wayland is new to the video game but has the desire to help aquarists which is half the battle. Keep the feedback coming! -Robert @ MD

[@sandrstudios]

He did just fine, and ironically neither of the negative comments are made by people that even make videos on KZbin. people on social media are hyper critical....

[@anchor4346]

@@sandrstudios Yep your response is a good example of critical. At least I offered a way to overcome it. You can overcome your critical by not responding. Maybe if he had a tall stool to sit on instead of standing... And you, how would you stop your hyper critical?

[@sandrstudios]

Andy Sars ? He did great! He was Well spoken and his message was understandable.

[@abh3960]

Keep a little dirty