Coralline algae?

[animalman]

Hello everybody. So I was at my LFS and they had bout 30-40 pvc pipes they use to hold frags at diff levels in the tanks just laying around in one of their tanks. These pvc pipes are in sizes ranging from 3-9 inches. The pvc is covered with coralline algae, purple and pink. They (the LFS) said that they would give me a pipe or two, to seed my tank. I didn't take any yet but said that I would be back for them. I just reset up my tank and I'm still in a cycle. My question is does my tank have to cycle for the coralline to live or can I put it in now? The LFS said it should be fine but was curious what AC had to say. They also said to scrape thecoralline off and it will seed where it lands. Sound right? thanx

[Reefscape]

The main thing that kills of coralline, besides poor water params, is a change in lighting..Most times some will die and turn white. However, regards to seeing a tank, i suppose it will to a certain degree...Most people tend to only use other peoples coralline algae scrapings to spread coralline around the tank by putting the scrapings on the existing live rock...Its a good way to promote the growth spread...

Niko

[judgemax]

um, i would wait until i was cycled, but thats just my opinion, and yes, scrape it in the tank, and leave the lights out, and the sump, filter, for a half hour, and turn em back on, and it should seed wherever it lands, thats how i did it, worked great, although, i am still unsure of why turning of the lights?

[Reefscape]

um, i would wait until i was cycled, but thats just my opinion, and yes, scrape it in the tank, and leave the lights out, and the sump, filter, for a half hour, and turn em back on, and it should seed wherever it lands, thats how i did it, worked great, although, i am still unsure of why turning of the lights?

Most people tend to leave the lights off during a cycle as really there is no need for them, and some have reported a smaller diatom bloom when the tank has cycled when the lighting is on and running as a schedule..if i was going to scrape coralline in to my tank, i would leave all circulation on and let it spread all over the tank..

Niko

[judgemax]

they told me to leave the power heads on, and shut off the filtration methods, i assumed, that was due to removing the scrapings?..I know most people leave the lights off, however, my tank had already been cycled at the time i was adding the scrapping.

[Reefscape]

they told me to leave the power heads on, and shut off the filtration methods, i assumed, that was due to removing the scrapings?..I know most people leave the lights off, however, my tank had already been cycled at the time i was adding the scrapping.


With external filtration, i can understand and agree with that part mate..

Niko

[judgemax]

With external filtration, i can understand and agree with that part mate..

Niko

ok, i was beginning to think, maybe i was crazy, lmao, but it had worked, lol..

[Reefscape]

LOL...JM.....you ARE crazy !!!!

:)

[animalman]

My light is a 150w MH. and my tank is not finished cycle, so I should wait? also should I be keeping my light off during my cycle? thanx all

[judgemax]

as Niko said most people get better results, when cycling without lights. I would wait, until it is cycled, as Niko said again, the water condition, is a big factor in whether your coraline survives, in the middle of a cycle, its not apt to be the best water conditions.ask, the lfs, is they would be willing to hold the pipes until your ready for them?.

[animalman]

cool thanx...no light and i will wait new i could count on my AC friends for help.:)

[animalman]

I talked to my LFS and they said that they will have 2pcs pvc for me when ever I'm ready for it.

[Reefscape]

Good deal mate...Just scrape it off with a razor blade and all is good..Get spreading...

Niko