Where to find coralline algae?

Broxplode · Jul 14, 2020

Whats up guys,

Pretty new to the hobby and R2R, so nice to meet all you socal guys.
I've been to a few shops in Orange County and no one seems to have live rock with coralline algae on it for sale, or at all. I've been seeing posts about the bottled stuff being snake oil and i'm not sure it's worth the $20 + shipping. How do people get their hands on some? I'm trying to seed my tank. I heard the best way is to ask a buddy in the hobby to maybe give a piece of live rock but my issue is I don't know anyone in the hobby.

Best,

- B

Tom Stevens · Jul 14, 2020

You can buy snails with coralline on them. If the biology of your tank is ready, the snails will be enough.

LeftyReefer · Jul 14, 2020

You can get coralline algae scrapings in a bottle on eBay now too.

stephj03 · Jul 15, 2020

Where in OC are you? I can scrape you some if you drop by my place in 92675

jaxcarnage · Nov 3, 2020

Not sure if you had any luck with this but I seeded my tank with https://www.algaebarn.com/shop/aquarium-supplies/coralline-algae-bottle/
and after a month or two I started to see the algae grow all over the place. Worth the money IMO. Also, once you start buying frags I would suggest going to Reef Lounge in Anaheim & Cali Kid in Whittier.

Coral Bros · Mar 8, 2021

agree with Tom. snails with coraline and then scrape it off into your tank. pbb the cheapest and easiest option. but requires patience. with good parameters, you begin to realize it becomes a nuisance algae when it gets on everything