Corralline dieoff

[texag04]

I dont know what is going on with my coralline. I've had my LR for about 3 weeks now and the coralline is beginning to turn white. I tested my water and everything is fine. My nitrates are at 10 ppm. Can it be I need calcium? What promotes coralline growth and how long does it take for it to fully engulf the rocks?

 

[bobbravo2]

What is your alkalinity and calcium at? you need calcium 400-450 ppm, and alkalinity above 3.2 meq/l or 8 dkh. hth

 

[jumpfrog]

It's not unusual to see some die-off after adding to a new tank. The algae needs to adjust just like corals do. Keep you calc and alk levels as mentioned above and it should come back in time.

 

[jonthefb]

it could definately mean that you need to begin adding calcium and alkaline supplements to keep your levels optimal for growth! get a calcium and alkalinity test kit and see whats up!
good luck
jon

 

[spsfreak100]

the coralline is beginning to turn white.
This is most likely the cause of a low Alkalinity and/or Calcium level. I have found that coralline starts to grow the most around 10-14dKH, instead of around 8dKH. A Calcium level of around 450ppm should also help in getting coralline to grow.
A sudden shock of lighting may also cause coralline bleaching.
Graham

 

[texag04]

Can lighting be a factor here? I keep my lights on about 10 hrs a day. The flo. bulb isnt powerful at only 15 watts, it came with the tank. So alkalinity is more important than calcium for corraline growth?

 

[overanalyzer]

Coralinee will bleach if it goes through a dramatic lighting switch ... so was it being blasted by MH? If so and you moved it to NO bulbs it will bleach some - but should nto be a whole sale die off.
Are you using this rock to cycle the tank?
OTherwise follow the above suggestions!

 

[jedininja]

Are you saying you only have 15 watts of NO on your tank? That may be one of the causes of why the coralline is dying off. Coralline if a form of plantlife, so it does need more lighting to thrive.

 

[bigmac]

too much light or too little light could be the problem