? about live rock coalline

[capt.t]

First of all I've been reading the forum about two weeks and there's no
question it is a great source for True info.
Back to my ? I have a 45 gal. with about 70 lbs. of fiji and lots of purple
coralline. I have 1 40 watt blue actinic and 1 40watt 10,000k bulbs.
All the coralline on the rocks is getting tiny white dots actually looks like dust.
However it can't be removed. Can anyone tell what this is? How to get rid of
it.
Thanks,

 

[bot587]

are they tough, if so they might be a type of pod

 

[capt.t]

They don't seem to come off even if rubbed.

 

[xdave]

Hmmm... with out actually seeing them this is totally a wild guess but I'm gonna say barnacles.

 

[bcott]

Is it possible that the coralline is dying.

 

[poniegirl]

Have you tested your calcium levels?

 

[capt.t]

no I have not tested for Calcium. I was not aware I had to.
I add 11ml of B-Ionic 1 & 2 daily. Actually I haven't seen a test kit for
calcium, and one of the LFS said it was not necessary.

 

[isistius]

go out and get yourself a salifert calcium test kit. expensive, but well worth every penny. coralline algae needs dissolved calcium in the water to contiune growing. your calcium levels should be in the the range for 400-450 ppm. if it's not there there are some additives you can use to get it there. also, you should NEVER NEVER NEVER add anything without testing for it!!!!!!! jmo.