How to Cure White Coralline Algae

Coralline algae is a decorative addition to a marine aquarium. It forms delicate coral-like crusts over rocks. It is usually red or purple but some varieties are white. Coralline algae comes attached to live rock and to "cure it' -- get it ready for your tank -- you need to treat it in a similar way to any other live rock. The curing process is necessary to remove dead organisms from the rock but leave the coralline algae intact. Live rock, with or without coralline algae, is usually sold already cured but you can cure it at home.

Things You'll Need

  • Large plastic bucket
  • Aquarium heater
  • Salt mix
  • Powerhead
  • Blue light source
  • Live rock with white (not dead) coralline algae
  • Toothbrush
  • Flat-headed screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill the bucket with water made up with the salt mix according to directions.

    • 2

      Position the blue light source over the bucket. This is to support the white coralline algae, which photosynthesize blue wavelengths of light, but not pest algae. Have the light on for a few hours a day during the curing process.

    • 3

      Install the heater to raise the water temperature to about 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 4

      Brush or scrape dead organisms off the rock. Those that have turned black are dead.

    • 5

      Place the live rock in the bucket.

    • 6

      Replace 50 percent of the water in the bucket every 3 to 5 days and remove any more organisms that turn black.

    • 7

      Transfer the rock to your tank after about two to three weeks.