Coraline turning white???

[Madman133]

What causes coraline to turn white? Back when I had pc's my coraline growth exploded and was perfectly purple. Now I have 2x150w HQI halides for the past 2 years and slowly my coraline has turned white. Im guessing its my lights because on the bottom(where the ligh doesnt shine very much) of the rocks there is still coraline that is purple. Does it have to do with my lights or is it because of something else. All my parameters are, for the most part, the same as when I had the pc's and my coraline was purple.

Thanks,
Taylor

 

[lancer99]

Yep, most species of coralline algae don't like high light levels.

I'm sure the experts will be able to fill in the details....

-R

 

[tmz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11825662#post11825662 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lancer99
Yep, most species of coralline algae don't like high light levels.

I'm sure the experts will be able to fill in the details....

-R

I agree.Some coralines will grow in more intense lighting but the ones you had in pc days are obviously not among them.

 

[worlds under]

when the coralline starts growing on the top of the LR.
thats when you need to change your light. JJ

 

[Madman133]

Ok thanks guys...I was under the impression that it liked intense lighting, no idea where I got that from. I do have some nice dark red coraline that seems to like the mh lighting and is spreading...

 

[Jazmine18]

No wonder i cant grow corraline algea good...I thougth the needed high light to grow...but it makes sense now that i think abpout it all my rock on the botom that get less light have corraline on it but the ones on to dont even have a speck of it but green corraline no red or purple...
Good post thanks

 

[janson]

question...then is the white type of coraline not good? purple better? The reason I ask is one of my rocks had about 5 diferent colors of coraline on it, and now 80% is white-yellowish-pinkish. Not the deep red and purple it was. Just wondered what is desireable! thanks
janson

 

[graveyardworm]

What are your water parameters? I would think more likely something is missing. I'm running 250 watt MH and I have great coraline algae growth. It is possible different species are better adapted to varying light intensities, but I would think one would move in right over the other, not wait for it to completely die first.

 

[janson]

Alk - 2.5
pH - 8.1
Ammonia - <.10
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate- 5ppm
The rock in question was just purchased. It had this growth on it (the dark reds etc) and after just 24 hours turned a nice white! It appears to be very "thick", just no longer red and purple. I was guessing it due to being in 'shock' from a tank move....but I don't know. It was very dark where it came from. I am watching it closely as it still looks nice as white...I was only concerned that turning white meant something bad!?!?

 

[BryanM]

I have 250 watt hqi's on my tank and it grows fine. The trick to corraline is keeping your alkalinity up, and to make sure your calcium and magnesium are at proper ratios as well. High flow is also a big help. I actually have had better luck with corraline under high lights than low. Turning white means it is dying off, (was it exposed to the air for a long time when you transported it? that will definately turn it white.) but it will come back in a couple of months .Just make sure you get your alkalinity up. 2.5 is a little low to try and grow corraline. Just remember alkalinity and calcium directly effect each other. High calcium means low alkalinity. If its a new tank with a new deep sand bed chances are you wont be dosing calcium for a while.

 

[janson]

thanks for that. tank is now about 3.5 months old with deep crushed coral base. will definatly look into getting alk up! And yes, it was exposed to air for about 20 minutes during transport. thanks again
janson

 

[janson]

I have another question about coraline...I have a green type forming. It doens'y look "fuzzy" at all, it is very smooth like coraline looks. Was wondering if this is normal, or do I have another issue that may be causing this type to grow? Personally, I just don't like the green looking stuff as it 'looks' like jsut standard old green algae! However, I could get over it, if it is something desirable!
thanks
janson

 

[osprey77]

when i went to t-5's all mine bleached out from the higher amount of light.

 

[cs reef]

to much light will kill off the coraline. had it happen in my 90 gallon when i added the 250 mh.

 

[sammy113]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11939206#post11939206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by osprey77
when i went to t-5's all mine bleached out from the higher amount of light.

mine too. I had 150W MH and upgraded to a 40 breeder with T5HO. Now some of my coraline has turned whitey and some of it turned pink and lighter colors. Still like the colors tough