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- Hello, and thanks for tuning in.
Growing coralline algae is one of the most discussed topics
among reef aquarist.
When you look online, you'll find dozens of secret formulas,
special techniques, tricks and tips
for getting coralline algae to grow in a reef tank.
A lot of aquarist try one method after another
and never achieved the results they're looking for.
But here's some good news.
There's no magic forum or are aquatic voodoo
growing coralline algae is quite easy.
And here's what you need to know.
Marine biologist refer to coralline algae as
Crustose Coralline Algae or CCA for short.
Although the algae appears purple and pink
and sometimes red.
Coralline algae is simply a form of red marine
calcified algae.
Coralline algae is quite different than most other types
of algae you find in reef tanks
because the cells of coralline algae
form a honeycomb structure of calcium carbonate
similar to the structure you find in stony corals,
but only stronger.
As the algae grows, it lays down layer upon layer
of the super strong life stone honeycomb.
It will strengthen wild reefs
with these layers of calcium carbonate.
Bind together rocks and coral skeletons
helping the reef withstand (mumbles) pounding ways
and tropical monsoons.
There are many species of coralline algae.
Some species grow in deep dimly lit water
while other species grow in the other water surface
and well-like conditions.
Some can grow in branching formations.
Some can be thick and planing,
but for the most part the CCA we desire is encrusting.
There are many reasons people desire coralline algae
to grow in their reef tank.
Coralline algae is often used as an indicator organism.
That means if you have CCA growth,
your lighting and your water chemistry conditions
are good enough for keeping stony corals.
Coralline algae can tie together live rock and coral frags
just like it does in wild reefs.
Helping to create a more stable aqua escape
inside your reef tank.
This keeps your frags in place.
Nuisance algaes have a difficult time
attaching to coralline algae.
This means CCA covered rocks
rarely having any unsightly nuisance algae growing on them.
Corals and other inverts prefer to attach
to coralline algae encrusted rock.
Finally, the most popular reason
people desire coralline algae
is that it adds beautiful shades of purple,
pink and even red to otherwise drab looking rock.
There is one drawback of growing coralline algae,
you can't really avoid.
CCA does not discriminate where it will grow.
It will cover your glass, acrylic and your rocks,
once it starts to grow.
It will also cover your pumps and other equipment
reducing the (mumbles) as it infiltrates
the various components of your aquarium system.
Coralline algae is a one of the main reasons
it's important to soak and clean your pumps
regularly in an acidic pump cleaner or vinegar bath.
While I would not say CCA it's difficult to remove,
I would say it's certainly tedious and time consuming.
coralline algae thrive in the same basic lighting
and water conditions as reef building, stony corals.
If your aquarium is set up and being maintained,
to support stony coral growth, you can grow CCA.
The only other thing you need to do
is see the tank with live stony coralsalgae
To get us started.
CCA reproduces by spores,
one of the most efficient ways possible.
The spores will settle on a rock
and form new coralline algae colonies.
If you only need to seed your aquarium
with spore one time.
CCA spores seed many found
in almost all wild reef organisms,
so it's not difficult for the spores
to find their way into your tank with no extra effort.
All you need to do is stuff the tank
with a typical reef tank inhabitants.
There are however, a number of ways
to intentionally introduce coralline algae,
which is especially useful when a tank is being built
using dry or synthetic rock,
which is certainly becoming a norm over the live rock
of days past.
Using a live rock rubble
is certainly better than larger pieces of live rock
because you're running less of a risk
of nasty hitchhikers getting into your system.
Frags are also another terrific way
to introduce live coralline algae to your tank.
The CCA growing on a frag plug
or a mount will work just fine.
You could also add a cleaner snail or hermit crab,
that's encrusted With CCA.
Scraping coralline from a friend's reef
and adding it to your tank is yet another successful way
to seed your tank.
Essentially just find something with living coralline algae
on it and add it to your tank.
There are few aquarium products
that are designed to seed your aquarium with CCA.
At the time of this video release,
the reviews these products are mixed
and we have yet to test them here at Marine Depot.
If you happen to have experience with any of these products,
please let us know your experience
and leave a comment below.
The key to successful coralline algae,
the biggest secrets to success,
the thing that many reefers miss is patience.
The ability to leave things alone
is very difficult for many of us reef enthusiasts.
We're always tinkering, watching our reef
and looking for coral growth
and watch it for any signs of imbalance.
Coralline algae often grows very slowly in a new reef
so don't be discouraged by stories and photos
from a guy whose reef is a month old
and yet covered with CCA.
This is rare and not the norm, so just be patient.
When you see coralline algae in a tank
with the right conditions, coralline algae will grow.
Here's a simple formula, but it takes time.
You will first notice the little white spots
start to appear on some of the surfaces inside your tank.
By the time they're about 1/4 inch in diameter,
they will begin to take on a color
and satisfy your CCA cravings.
There are addidist that will help coralline algae
to thrive, but before you add anything,
make sure your aquarium has adequate lighting,
calcium, alkalinity and water movement.
Coralline algae uses calcium, strontium,
magnesium, iodine and carbonates
to build their lives on structure.
Products like CaribSea Purple-up, Continum Aquatics,
Coralline Purple-CX and others
provide a mixture of these essential elements
forming to stimulate CCA growth
with the added benefit of stimulating coral growth as well.
On that note, we should have test your tank parameters
to ensure that you're not overdosing any of these elements,
especially if you already have a regular dosing regimen.
Likely you'll be already maintained
a major elements of calcium, alkalinity and magnesium.
So if you notice your coralline algae growth
slows your stalls,
it's likely a minor or trace element deficiency.
Elevated phosphates can interfere
with the calcification process as well,
so be sure you are maintaining a low phosphate level.
To many of you, this might sound quite familiar
and it's really no different than your regular reef tank,
water chemistry requirements.
In conclusion, years of reef aquarium observations
have led us to a few key factors
to successful coralline algae growth.
A stable environment is key for CCA growth.
Be sure to seed your aquarium
with some form of life CCA.
When coralline algae grow starts,
addidist can help jumpstart growth again.
And finally, patience coralline algae takes time to grow
and spread throughout an aquarium.
I appreciate all of you for watching today
and until next time,
take care and happy reef keeping.
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