coralline algae question:

[REBridges]

So from a lot of peoples pictures I have seen they have a lot of coralline algae growing on the back side of their tanks/equipment. I barely have a spot of it, but I have a lot on my live rock throughout my tank. I know coralline algae is good to have, So I'm told. Is it good to have it spread across the back of your tank? Additionally, how do you get it to grow so quick? I do add in the Kent Marine growth additive of purple tech.

Any help would be appreciative!
~Ryan

[mabel_photo6]

I think some just allow it to grow in the back for fun. Personally, I think it looks nice.
Some just scrape it off the back and just allow it to grow on the rocks.
It is good for the tank or rather a good sign I suppose.
In my opinion, people mostly leave them because of the color.
And maybe saves money on looking for a background. lol
I have lots of pink and purple and a few red and green coraline algae.

It's odd 'cause some people grow the algae quick and for some, it might grow slow.
My coraline algae grew slow at first but in time, it covered my rocks and almost all the back wall.
I use Purple Up to get that algae growing but I don't do it as often as the bottle says to.
I first got coraline algae when my tank was 3 months old but it's different for others.

[REBridges]

my tank has only been running full throttle since the end of august.as stated before I do have a lot of the coralline algae on my rocks, and I do have purple and green. i like the look of it. it really brings out a tank due to its color and uniqueness.

anybody else have tips as well?

[Crazyeyes]

Maybe more current on in the tank, but I think the reasons why people let it grow on the backs of their tanks is for looks. You could place some zoas or green star polyp on the glass and let it take over the back of the tank.

[txav8r]

First tip: Give it time. You will be cussing it soon enough when you are constantly scraping the front and sides of your tank.

Second tip: Don't dose or add anything that you don't test for.

[marcusgonzales210]

purple up helps. But it really just takes time since it grows in mature tanks. Good calcium levels are helpful too since it is an encrusting algae. In the wild this type of algae along with encrusting corals bind the rocks together forming the reef. This is also the same concept in the tank. I think people let it grow on their back wall because some people don't have backgrounds and it hides wires. Or for looks. Or maybe because it's hard to clean the back wall for most people, since there's lots of rockwork in the way.

[ErikH]

It's a pain to clean off the back glass. Bionic for supplementation, test for CA and Alk. Monitor your PH as Alk will swing it upwards wildly.

[kkiel02]

I was told that scrubbing it with a tooth brush will help it spread but I am not a fan of coraline. Like said before it is a pain to get off the glass.

[MeteorFlower]

Your tank isn't very old yet, in a few months you'll probably have plenty. Just give it time :)

[REBridges]

Thanks for the heads up guys! The rocks have a lot of purple and green coraline....i know its a good sign if thats at least happening. My calcium level is right at 400. I was told ideal was 440-460...then been told 400 is too much...Which is better? The higher to help build the structures of the coral?

[dmweise]

It took me about 6 months to start getting small colonies of coralline on my glass. I also use a coralline supplement. I recommend just being patient. It will happen, it just takes time.