Coraline Algae

[steve l]

I have a 155 Gal tank that I started about 7 months ago. I use a sump (24 gal), a lot of live rock & sand, 48 inch tall protein skimmer, Metal Halides (3-250 watt, 10,000K) and Actinics (2-140 watt). The tank contains many fish and both soft & hard corals which are all happy and doing well. All of the chemical parameters are fine. I use a Kent maxima RO/DI filtration unit for fresh water refill. The tank is pristine and stays crystal clear. My question is this: How do I get Coraline Algae to grow? It is on some of the live rock that I purchased but has not spread to the tank glass etc... Is it just a matter of time or is there a better way to get it to grow?? Any input will be appreciated! Steve L

 

[mr . salty]

Sounds beautiful, why mess eith perfection? Alot of us are looking for ways to stop the stuff from growing. Try raising your phosphate levels.I think I remember someone saying using baking powder,or was it soda? STEVE

 

[tattooedlife]

You want your phosphate levels as low as possible!!!!! This only causes bad algea!!!
Sounds like a great set-up.....Check your Calcium levels. Best kept between 400-480ppm. Keep your calcium and alkilinity levels up and your coralline should start to spread.
[This message has been edited by Tattooedlife (edited 07-09-2000).]

 

[sshorem]

Sounds like an AWESOME set up. I set my 44gal penagon tank up just after the first of the year and it has just (within the past 2-3 weeks) started to grow coraline. It didn't strat growing until I started to add kalkwasser EVERY day. Calcium and alkalinity seem to be the key. That is the general concensus amoungst the people I ave spoke with.
Good luck

 

[tjswanson]

There is this great product called Liquid Aragonite and it's made by Carib Sea it has calcium, carbonate, strontium, Magnesium, and potassium. I have only used it for a month or so and my corline is just poping up everywhere.. It says araga Milk on the bottle. Its a big bottle and I add it everyday. I turns your water cloudy for about 30 min. your corals will love it too, but you corline will start growing everywhere!! give it a try.

 

[steve l]

Dear Totooedlife & Mr. Salty: Thanks for your reply! My Ca++ level is always between 420-450 and ALK always high. I guess I should just be patient as you suggest. I have read tons about this stuff but as always different authors have varied opinions. By the way, my nitrates are running about 15 to 20 ppm but everyone still seems happy?? I do a 20gal once a month change. Thanks again. Happy Reefing to all. Steve L.

 

[kmr]

If you conduct a water change every two weeks you might lower the nitrates. Sounds like a pretty nice reef.

 

[mako]

there are many types of coraline algae and all of them are benafical they will aid in completing the nitrafication cycle and over run the unwanted algaes I personaly used a product from mark weisse called coarl vital along with kalkwassar this worked very well and somewhat quickly now I am using macro algae grow mostly because of the results I have seen my freinds tanks all so it contains zooxanthallae witch is the algae in corals tissues that thrive off of light
I am sure that you will get good results from the coral vital and kalk. and the macro alge grow may still be hard to find outside of fla. I thank that natureef is promoting the product.email their web site if you are interested.ERIC

 

[tattooedlife]

I agree with Mako, I also use Marc Wiess' Coral Vital along with Sea Chem Reef Calcium. Coral Vital seems to be doing a great job with my coralline growth. Good luck with your tank Steve L.

 

[chessie]

I recently did a post re: my coralline algae not doing so well as of late. Also am using Coral Vital by M. Weiss. What else should I be adding to the tank as a supplement?? Don't want to be adding too much stuff that's not needed - keeping it as uncomplicated as possible is better, in my opinion! Any suggestions would be appreciated - thanks. Chess

 

[gorko]

Stupid question alert....What is "Kalkwasser"? I need help with my coraline as well, it is not looking good.
Thanks