Improving Live Rock

vanquish

vanquish

Member
I’ve been searching the forums looking for ways to improve the health and coralline algae growth on my live rock. Recently, I have noticed portions of my purple coralline dieing off or fading, as well as a whitish film pealing off. I am wondering if this has something to do with chemicals I should be adding? Currently, all the trace elements my water has come from the salt mix I use except for the liquid iodine which I add for my anemone. My parameters are right where they should be, pH ammonia etc all good. Any ideas? Should I supplement with extra trace elements? I run carbon and a copper absorber in my tank, should I remove it? Also, is there anything in general I should know about caring for my lr that I might not be aware of? Thanks!
 
clown52

clown52

Member
Did this coraline grow in your tank or just come on the rock? What sort of lighting are you running and on what size tank?
 
vanquish

vanquish

Member
It came with the rock, which I have had for about four months. I am running a 15w Power-Glo in a 20gal tall tank.
 
emmitt

emmitt

Member
Do you test for iodine? What all do you test for? why are you running a copper sponge? do you have copper in the tank?
 
W

winstew

Guest
Did you just change lighting or bulbs? When I changed the inensity my coralline was getting it turned white, but then grew back even bigger and brighter.
 
vanquish

vanquish

Member
The lighting has not changed, and I got the bulb in October. Maybe 15w is not enough for 20gal? How much should I have, especially with the anemone?
I dont test for anything other than Nitrite, Nitrate, pH and ammo. The sponge is because there used to be copper a long time ago, now i just run it for good measure.
 
W

winstew

Guest
Yea I'm no expect but that IS NOT enough light for an anemone. You might want to take it back and let the tank mature a few more months too. Just my $.02
 
emmitt

emmitt

Member
Alot more than you have. Since its so small a tank, you could maybe get away with PC's, like 130w depending on the height. Youd be alot better off to get a 150w MH.
Dont add anything to the tank you dont test for. Id ditch the iodine and upgrade lighting, the anemone will be much happier.
 
saltwater8

saltwater8

Member
A LOT more light..... for both the coraline and especially the anemone...
Try Purple Up by Carib-Sea for the coraline.
:happyfish
 
vanquish

vanquish

Member
Ok I got a second light called Marine-Glo 18" which is in the blue spectrum and is actinic. Running it by itself my tank is a very dark color and not desirable. If I run that in conjunction with my original Power-Glo 18" will that be enough light? I’d have to do away with my current hood and buy a glass one to handle the two lamps since the hood is only designed for one. Again, I only have 20gal, I don’t want to fry them. It’s also the max wattage my lamps can handle.
 
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