Adding Macro-algae and Coralline-algae to a FOWLR?

[Sythero]

I was wondering if it's possible/easy to get macro-algae and coralline-algae into a FOWLR aquarium. Any advice to accomplish this? I want to add some variety to my tank, instead of the brown live rock I've got now. Thanks.

 

[thegrun]

For coralline algae you need to add a small rock with coralline algae on it, it will spread from the added rock. You will also need to be sure your calcium is up to at least 400 ppm but preferably between 425 and 450, alkalinity between 8.0 and 11.0, magnesium between 1300 and 1400. You can add macro algae directly to your display tank provided you do not have tangs as they will eat many of the macro algae species. Be careful on which algae you introduce, some are invasive and will take over a tank.

 

[PhillyGeeks]

I bought some trochus snails as part of my CUC that I am pretty sure seeded the coraline in my tank, shells were covered in it.

 

[Sythero]

For coralline algae you need to add a small rock with coralline algae on it, it will spread from the added rock. You will also need to be sure your calcium is up to at least 400 ppm but preferably between 425 and 450, alkalinity between 8.0 and 11.0, magnesium between 1300 and 1400.

How do you control Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium?

 

[Animagus]

You'll have to test these parameters on a somewhat regular basis and then add things like Calcium Chloride to adjust Calcium, Baking Soda to adjust Alkalinty & Epsom Salts to adjust Magnesium. For a FOWLR tank none of these are much of a concern though. Keeping your salinity within limits and your Nitrates low are really all you need to worry about IME. A quality salt mix should create the proper environment for most fish. Also, if your going to add any macro algae to the tank you'll have to have the right kind of lighting too. For a FOWLR tank all you really need is a light that allows you to see the fish clearly, but sometimes these fixtures are not strong enough to sustain the macro algae long term. GL.

 

[jlmawp]

For coralline algae you need to add a small rock with coralline algae on it, it will spread from the added rock. You will also need to be sure your calcium is up to at least 400 ppm but preferably between 425 and 450, alkalinity between 8.0 and 11.0, magnesium between 1300 and 1400.

How do you control Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium?

If all you have is coralline taking up calcium, it's pretty safe to say that you should have what you need by using Reef Crystals for salt, or some other salt that has a reasonable amount of minerals/elements. I wouldn't go crazy changing a bunch of parameters in a FOWLR if all you are looking for is coralline growth. It's more hardy and easily-grown than SPS. I'd pick up a calcium test kit, and keep it anywhere at or above 400ppm.

In a decently-established tank like yours, it won't take long for coralline to start growing, once introduced. As was mentioned before, I'd just get a piece of live rock or two that already has some varieties growing in them and put them in the tank. In my opinion, having a good variety of 6-8 different kinds will help cover more parts of your tank at a quicker pace. Different species like different conditions, so more is better.

To get it seeded quickly in your tank, you can take scrapings of each kind (scrape the rocks, or the shells of snails/hermits if you buy some with coralline on them), and gather the scraping into a small bowl with some tank water in it. Optionally, you can use a mortar/pestle to crush it up, but scraping it with a knife with already grind it pretty well. Once you have a bunch of scrapings in the bowl, just pour it in front of a powerhead or just all around the tank.

Trust me though, it won't be long until you are cursing this stuff because you have to constantly scrape it off the front and side glass.