Saltwater aquarium coral and algae are an integral part of any marine ecosystem. Not only do they look attractive and provide an enhanced environment for your fish and invertebrates they also help to enhance the health of the marine tank. Saltwater aquarium coral and algae are also useful to keep the reef tank structure intact and stable. Saltwater aquarium coral and algae need to form a part of a healthy and happy marine tank.
Saltwater aquarium coral and algae are the living organisms (plants and animals) that exist in the marine environment. Coralline plants can be divided into two groups; namely articulated and non-articulated algae. Articulated algae are erect algae that look like little trees. The ‘branches’ are non-calcified and attach to the substrate. Non-articulated algae are encrusting algae that grow slowly on rocks. In this article on saltwater aquarium coral and algae we will be focusing mainly on non-articulated algae.
So let’s look at the “algae” part of your saltwater aquarium coral and algae citizens! Coralline algae are plants which need living rocks to grow on. These plants do best in environments that are moderately lit and have a calcium concentration of about 400 - 440 mg/l, and a carbonate hardness of above 7dkh, ideally between 9-12 dkh. Saltwater aquarium coral and algae are living, active components of the marine tank and need to be understood as such. The saltwater aquarium coral and algae you select should always be chosen according to conditions in your tank.
To keep your coralline algae healthy we suggest using Kalkwasser as a source of calcium carbonate. Coralline algae will suffer if there are too many phosphates, nitrates, and high CO2 levels. If these are too high the algae will not grow well. Keep your phosphates at 0 ppm and nitrates below 5 ppm. Your algae will grow best under a magnesium concentration of 1400 mg/l. Saltwater aquarium coral and algae are a good indicator of a marine tanks health. Any adverse conditions will result in your saltwater aquarium coral and algae dying or growing poorly.
Saltwater aquarium coral and algae can be introduced into your marine tank in two ways. They can be already attached to live rock when you buy it or they will need to be seeded. The algae may be scraped from rock of an existing reef tank and collected with a siphon. Take the algae and place it onto cured live rock where it will attach itself and start to grow. Coralline algae are a must-have in a marine tank. They give off special chemicals that help herbivorous invertebrates to grow. These herbivores help to control the growth of sea weeds which tend to smother the algae.
The algae absorb carbon for photosynthesis, and calcification for making cell walls. The cell walls grow across rock and keep the reef intact. Coralline algae also produce magnesium that keeps the invertebrates and the reef healthy. A healthy coralline algae population is the hallmark of a healthy reef tank. So now we know that saltwater aquarium coral and algae must form part of a marine ecosystem to keep it healthy. Now, let’s turn out attention to the soft corals.
Saltwater aquarium coral and algae can be found all over the world and soft corals are found globally in tropical environments at about 25 to 95 ft deep. Because they are so close to the surface they are influenced by water currents which provide them with food and oxygen for their growth. The soft corals make up the main elements of the reef tank. They are found in an astounding array of colors and shapes – red, yellow, purple, and orange.
