Sealing dry rock for algae control and increased coralline growth

[Chee-tomorpha]

I'm thinking about sealing the top halves of all the dry rock by soaking them with liquid super glue. I got the idea from another discussion on here and confirming similar observed results with another reefer.

In my 250 rebuild, the connections where I heavily glued together and are under high lighting had two drastic differences from all the rest of the rock.

#1, it appears to have inhibited algae growth. I'm guessing due to the glue sealing the rock from leaching nutrients locked in it.

#2, it grew coralline super fast. I don't have a guess for why this is happening. The glued sections are covered in coralline where as other rock surfaces are only beginning to grow specks.

I'm interested in experimenting with soaking the top halves of all rock structures with liquid glue. I hope that by doing this the top sections that are exposed to light will gain the two benefits. I'm leaving the bottom section unsealed so to allow the internal porosity of the rock to grow beneficial bacteria, and since there's no light there shouldn't be any algae growth.

Has anyone tried to do this, or have observed similar results? If I should not do this let me know as well.

These pics are of 3-4 months of growth from new dry rock.

 

[lion king]

The purpose of the rock to begin with is to provide a porous medium for nitrifying bacteria.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

It seems like the same reason coralline grows on powerheads and other plastic surfaces first...

 

[Dan_P]

I'm thinking about sealing the top halves of all the dry rock by soaking them with liquid super glue. I got the idea from another discussion on here and confirming similar observed results with another reefer.

In my 250 rebuild, the connections where I heavily glued together and are under high lighting had two drastic differences from all the rest of the rock.

#1, it appears to have inhibited algae growth. I'm guessing due to the glue sealing the rock from leaching nutrients locked in it.

#2, it grew coralline super fast. I don't have a guess for why this is happening. The glued sections are covered in coralline where as other rock surfaces are only beginning to grow specks.

I'm interested in experimenting with soaking the top halves of all rock structures with liquid glue. I hope that by doing this the top sections that are exposed to light will gain the two benefits. I'm leaving the bottom section unsealed so to allow the internal porosity of the rock to grow beneficial bacteria, and since there's no light there shouldn't be any algae growth.

Has anyone tried to do this, or have observed similar results? If I should not do this let me know as well.

These pics are of 3-4 months of growth from new dry rock.

That’s an interesting observation, especially the coralline growth. What brand of glue are you using? I would like to run an experiment.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

That’s an interesting observation, especially the coralline growth. What brand of glue are you using? I would like to run an experiment.

Don't most people observe coralline growing on powerheads and filters before rock?

 

[Dan_P]

Don't most people observe coralline growing on powerheads and filters before rock?

Yes that seems the case. Never heard an explanation for it. And now somebody has found a spreadable plastic substitute.

 

[TurboTang]

Perhaps that very porous rock surface has a lot of competition for the coralline, but the smooth plastic surface (and glue) has very little comp. Part of the reason we say coralline grows on mature tanks - takes a bit for it to win the battles

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

The purpose of the rock to begin with is to provide a porous medium for nitrifying bacteria.

That is my thoughts as well. I had initially thought to seal the whole rock structure but thought it be wise to not do so as it would prevent the rock from growing the bacteria.

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

It seems like the same reason coralline grows on powerheads and other plastic surfaces first...

That's correct, because the new gyre is covered as well, where as the old gyre is growing algae more than getting covered in coralline.

 

[TurboTang]

Sealing complete rock structure bad. But if you provide a surface for the coralline to gain a foothold quickly it can begin to compete with the comp.

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

That’s an interesting observation, especially the coralline growth. What brand of glue are you using? I would like to run an experiment.

I used Glue Masters thin formula, the dark blue label.

I'd be interested in your findings as well. I've to construct my scape still, but if no one here sees any reason not to try it. I will go ahead with my experiment as well.

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

Perhaps that very porous rock surface has a lot of competition for the coralline, but the smooth plastic surface (and glue) has very little comp. Part of the reason we say coralline grows on mature tanks - takes a bit for it to win the battles

I've actually not been able to grow very much coralline in all my experience. The biggest patch is no larger than a quarter surrounded by algae. It is the reason this is interesting. If the glue can inhibit algae competition and promote coralline growth. That would be awesome.

Note that I did not use any coralline-in-a-bottle products for the rebuild. Any coralline was introduced through frag plugs which I simply glued to the rocks.

 

[Chrisv.]

I used Glue Masters thin formula, the dark blue label.

I'd be interested in your findings as well. I've to construct my scape still, but if no one here sees any reason not to try it. I will go ahead with my experiment as well.

I've noticed that the polyp lab glue is encrusted pretty fast too.

 

[TurboTang]

I've actually not been able to grow very much coralline in all my experience. The biggest patch is no larger than a quarter surrounded by algae. It is the reason this is interesting. If the glue can inhibit algae competition and promote coralline growth. That would be awesome.

Note that I did not use any coralline-in-a-bottle products for the rebuild. Any coralline was introduced through frag plugs which I simply glued to the rocks.

I don't think the glue inhibits the algae, but rather the coralline can spread faster on its smootg surface - and from there it will be able to spread. Eventually turning your rock and glass into a purple monster

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

I used Glue Masters thin formula, the dark blue label.

I'd be interested in your findings as well. I've to construct my scape still, but if no one here sees any reason not to try it. I will go ahead with my experiment as well.

It appears the new thin bottle is not the same as the old bottle I had used in my rebuild. The new Thin (dark blue bottle) is thicker and does not soak into the rock, it has too much surface tension and slides right off the bonding powder and rock.



If you're getting a new bottle, ensure you grab the Ultra Thin (light blue bottle). I believe this would be the same thickness as the small thin bottle. The small bottle is like water and soaks right into the rock and powder.

 

[Dan_P]

It appears the new thin bottle is not the same as the old bottle I had used in my rebuild. The new Thin (dark blue bottle) is thicker and does not soak into the rock, it has too much surface tension and slides right off the bonding powder and rock.



If you're getting a new bottle, ensure you grab the Ultra Thin (light blue bottle). I believe this would be the same thickness as the small thin bottle. The small bottle is like water and soaks right into the rock and powder.

Thanks!

 

[G Santana]

Given the right conditions, algae will grow on anything, including glass which is non porous, don't waste your money.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

It seems like the same reason coralline grows on powerheads and other plastic surfaces first...

You've never had algae on your powerheads??

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes that seems the case. Never heard an explanation for it. And now somebody has found a spreadable plastic substitute.

Cells are picky about the chemical surfaces they attach to. Petri dishes for cell culture often have coatings to promote attachment. I have always assumed the coralline either likes hydrophobic surfaces of plastics, or more likely, likes the layer of organic matter that would quickly cover such a plastic surface in an aquarium.

This has a discussion of cell surface attachment :

https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/cell-culture-and-cell-culture-analysis/mammalian-cell-culture/evolution-of-cell

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

You've never had algae on your powerheads??

Yes of course I have