Growing Coralline Algae, adding life to rock?

[DarkHorseMBA]

I have 80 lbs of dry rock in my tank. The rock is awesome I really like the look of it, (pictures pending tonight). I’d like for the rock to grow some coralline Algae. I want to control what goes into the tank, so I’m reluctant to add live rock with possible hitchhikers to the tank, (aiptasia, flatworms, to name a few).

What can I do to promote coralline growth, or otherwise safely add life to my rock?

Thanks,
DarkHorseMBA

[Gilbert]

In my opinion, i dont believe you can completely prevent hitchhikers from coming into your tank.
Adding coral is usually the main way hitchhikers come in.
I'd worry more about controlling them.

But as far as growing coraline algae, you could add some rubble that already has the algae on it.

[Regric25]

I used 100% dry rock and I have no pests in my tank. Before I buy a frag I make sure the plug does not have any pests and I DIP them. I have had my 100 gallon running for 7 months and my rock is only just now starting to turn VERY purple. It will take a long time. But it will grow. add something small that has corraline on it. Let me know if you need something I can give you a piece of rubble with it.

[Big_Pun]

get some coraline incrusted rocks and smash them, or have a buddy scrape some off their equipment and put in a baggy. eithere way it will take time for your rocks to get covered in coraline

[Gilbert]

I used 100% dry rock and I have no pests in my tank. Before I buy a frag I make sure the plug does not have any pests and I DIP them. Just give your tank time! I have had my 100 gallon running for 7 months and my rock is only just now starting to turn VERY purple. It will take a long time. But it will grow.

Guess it could be done this way but im to lazy to dip.
But then again i've only had problems with flat worm but those were easily killed, and Im currently winning a fight against bubble algae.

[tebstan]

Some of the coolest things I have in my tank were hitch hikers. I have multiple coral frags and mushroom rocks I bought intentionally for the weird hitch hikers growing on them. There's always a risk of pests because no system is fail-safe. But there's so much awesome microfauna you're missing out on with 'pure' systems.

Coraline will take a long time to grow out anyway, don't worry about it for a few months. Keeping your cal and mag in balance will help.

I would try getting scrapings off someone's overflow. Mostly because I'm curious if that would actually work. I don't know anyone who's been patient enough to start with a pure, unblemished system and stick to the regimen. So, eventually coraline will come in on a frag or something.

[Kenya]

I'm prolly going to get flamed but Purple Up has helped increase my Coraline algae growth and it has kept my Calcium levels up.

[DarkHorseMBA]

I'm prolly going to get flamed but Purple Up has helped increase my Coraline algae growth and it has kept my Calcium levels up.

I added a few pieces of LR rubble I got from LFS. The rubble is touching dry rock in the DT. Ordered some purple up too.


DarkHorseMBA

[copperband]

I use purple up and it has worked great for me. Just be patient and coraline with start growing

[alexdmg]

I use purple up and it has worked great for me. Just be patient and coraline with start growing

Ditto.

[Kenya]

Yeah the key is to maintain calc levels around 400