Live Rock

[madhatter62_98]

Someone in here should be able to tell me if theres a way to accelerate LR growth? My 55's been up going on 7 months and nothing seems to be forming, is this normal for Tonga rock or has it gone dormant? All water tests are right on, lightings 20,000k with 75 watts halogen, temp at 82. add coralife suppliments-vitamins with no results.

 

[full of questions]

I wouldn't give up yet,1 of my tanks took about a year
to start looking nice.But i have heard that some people
never have alot of growth on there rock.Just like every
thing else in this hobby you have to be patient.I see
that this is your first post,so welcome to the board.

 

[cboyfan2020]

if you are talking about coralline algae, I use a product called Aragamilk to stimulate growth.

 

[dsa_mom]

Have you tried a loaded piece from a LFS to add to your tank to better "seed" your rock? Are you using good water movement? Calcium supplements? Hope this helps.

 

[thomas712]

Wait a minute. Did you really mean Halogen lights?
If this is the case then you have the wrong spectrum with halogen lights, they are great as a heat source, potentally a fire hazard and the wrong spectrum for good growth. The bad algea might like it.
Thomas

 

[madhatter62_98]

I've supplied calcium but no milk as recommended. The halogens bring out my shrooms but no growth. The rock when received was full of growth, but now has died back to nothing. Seed rock would be from the polyps or mushroom rock with no results for more growth. Patients is about all I've got left, but thought theired be something to advance this tanks growth as everythings been attempted this far. Thanks and hope things change.

 

[madhatter62_98]

Yes I have to agree on the metal halids, that seems to be the only thing I've not tried. As for the halogens, they add the ripple effect to the water and a clear sunlite effect - not to mention my mandarin/tang love it. I'll have to look into a halid but not sure if I can get it to fit into my custom canopy lid. Attached is the tank itself.

 

[madhatter62_98]

Workin on it now, halogens will be out within the week. All my tests are within your description - post. Tried adding another pic but board wont accept it - to large, but same size as the previouse one.

 

[madhatter62_98]

cam just does its own thing, will work on it tho.

 

[goldrush]

That's a 55?? That's 60 lbs. LR? What am I missing?

 

[logan15]

goldrush it looks like a streched picture kind of

 

[david s]

I agree with the lighting ansers also i noticed you have 50lbs of base rock and 10 of live rock base rock comes with no life and will take alot longer to show growth than live rock some of my live rock took 9 months to show good growth just make sure you have good calcuimph levels water flow and right lighting and sit back and wait it will come

 

[cboyfan2020]

just my opinion and a little bit off topic but I would get rid of those UGF plates and the crushed coral. A UGF will cause nothing but problems and a pure sand bed will aid in filtration.
Also watch out for the tang police because they will crucify you for having 3 tangs in a 55g. I personally have 2 but others will not agree. Brace yourself.

 

[madhatter62_98]

Resizing pictures understood, yes the pic is streached a bit and yes it is a 55 gallon. Yes the hawaiian base rock will take a lot longer, but the Tonga rock was full of growth and died back. Went and purchased a compact metal halide today, will be here in 1 week. Now its to rebuild my tank lid to fit the sucker inside with cross ventilation (110v Fans from computor 1 intake, 1 exhaust) this should do it.

 

[madhatter62_98]

see if this helps

 

[cboyfan2020]

i like those little plastic plants pokeing out of the rock