Low temp. tolerance of coraline algae

[mr.wilson]

Does anyone know the geographical range of coraline algae? I'm looking into the mariculture of live rock and would like to go with a winter temperature of 65F.

I know the Tampa Bay flat-bottom waters are pretty cold. Anyone know how far up the Atlantic coast coraline occurs? Do you get coraline growth in California?

 

[crypto]

The rocks in Monterey are covered with what looks like Coralline. I'm sure it's a different species but it's there (perhaps not photosynthetic?).

 

[BigWaveDave2]

Coralline algae grows in cold water, but it is often the branching upright form, not the encrusting form you find in warm water aquariums, but you can still find encrusting coralline algae in cold California waters like Monterey. I don't think it would grow too far up the Atlantic Coast as snow and ice would kill it and scrape it off the rocks, but Florida should still be fine.
If you are a diver you know that even in the tropics after you get down 20 feet or so the water is pretty cold, and you still find coralline past there.

 

[toddmcgill]

i live in the northern gulf of mexico alabama coast and corraline definitely grows here,and out winter water tems it mid to low 60's,also this corraline will grow and thrive in an aquarium, some of the best live rock available used to come from a couple hours down the coast in destin.