Coralline Algae Growth

[Tank14]

My tank is about 4 months old. I do not have a lot of coralline growth anywhere. There are a couple of spots on some rock but that is about it. My calcium is 400ppm, and my Alk is 9dKh. Does coralline take a lot of time to grow and spread, or is there something wrong?

 

[toddmh]

it takes a wile for a new system..If you are starting to get it,it will come faster

 

[diverdick]

Keep an eye on Mg. too

 

[superkat]

it does take a little while, depending on how much was on the LR that you started with...but once it gets going...you'll see things purple up pretty quick.

 

[alphaferret]

that cal could be higher-are you 2 part dosing?

 

[Tank14]

I am dosing calcium and alk every other day.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Get that magnesium up there and you'll see your coralline growth increase. You'll also get better utilization of the Ca & Alk additions you're making.

 

[talon4x4]

Or you could be like me and never get it on the glass (tank is 1yr old). My rocks have a nice coating and my sump is covered in it. However, there really is none on the glass of my d/t. I think the two urchins keep it at bay. I really don't mind thought, I have grown to like the look of all clean glass.

Give it time, it will start to grown. Dosing Mg helps it along as well.

 

[Tank14]

I have never thought about dosing Mg. So much to learn about chemistry. I will have to purchase a MG test kit so I can dose correctly. Any recommendations on a Mg kit?

 

[aquadonkey]

My tank is four months old as well, and I'm just now starting to see small spots on the rocks.

Or you could be like me and never get it on the glass (tank is 1yr old). My rocks have a nice coating and my sump is covered in it. However, there really is none on the glass of my d/t. I think the two urchins keep it at bay. I really don't mind thought, I have grown to like the look of all clean glass.

Give it time, it will start to grown. Dosing Mg helps it along as well.

Ooo.... I do however have it on the glass - maybe I should get an urchin!

 

[superkat]

urchins.....mixed feeling about them here....

 

[tent boy]

Urchins are a good way of losing what coraline you do have. Mine used to eat off glass and rocks. Mowed it down everywhere. I was delighted when mine went to a new home. With the coraline.......Build a stable environment and it wil come.

 

[alphaferret]

urchins and coral don't mix well-they tend to knock alot of stuff down and they do wipe out coraline.

mag up!-why not dose cal and alk everyday? just dose half as much. Are you dosing alk when lights are out? and cal during lit cycle?

Take your time-within a few months you'll be asking whats the best mag float scraper!

 

[talon4x4]

urchins.....mixed feeling about them here....

*Sorry to hijack*
I love mine, but then again I like the look of really clean glass. My tuxedo urchin doesn't knock any coral over. He's out all the time and always on the glass (he also eats the greenish film algae on the glass). The pencil urchin on the other hand!! :furious: He likes to hide during the daylight hours so he does tend to knock things over when finding a hiding spot in the rocks.


As for a good test kit.....Salifert all the way. All my test kits are Salifert and they all work quite well, albeit a bit expensive.