Coralline algae missing

[rsain]

Greetings all,

I'm confused. 2 years into a new tank. Been super happy with it.

90g with 55g sump
RO/DI
ATO
LEDs
Skimmer
170lbs live rock*
Phosban

Known parameters tested a few hours ago
Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - 0
Calcium ~420
Temp 78f
PH 8.2

Problem?
I have zero coralline growth on a majority of the rock. If dont scrape it then the glass will be covered in a week. *I got my rock dry (previously used) - properly cycled it a long time ago and all seems well parameter wise. Heck the coralline will even grow on the bubble algae and the snails. It will even grow on the rocks that came with various additions. But not the original what looks like fiji rock.

What gives? Zero other problems.
- ryan

 

[RBU1]

Find it hard to believe nitrates and phosphates are 0. What are you doing to get them to 0. Also 0 is not good for phosphate you want a little. What is your alk reading? I have plenty of coralline and tank has been running since 4/2019. It was an upgrade from a 150 but I added a lot of new rock also now covered in coraline. What salt are you using?


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[ryeguyy84]

If it's growing on the glass shut off all flow and scrape it off the glass and let it settle on the rocks, or put something with it on the rocks.

Will coral grow on the rocks? Maybe your lights are too bright?

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[rsain]

Find it hard to believe nitrates and phosphates are 0. What are you doing to get them to 0. Also 0 is not good for phosphate you want a little. What is your alk reading? I have plenty of coralline and tank has been running since 4/2019. It was an upgrade from a 150 but I added a lot of new rock also now covered in coraline. What salt are you using?


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Saliferts (I know they're not the best). Shows completely clear even on the most sensitive readings. Not sure why you find it hard to believe. Over-skimming and under-stocking. LOL

Not sure on ALK off hand. Don't usually test for it. Been over a year. Last time I measured it was 11dkh.

RedSea Salt.

Thanks!

 

[rsain]

If it's growing on the glass shut off all flow and scrape it off the glass and let it settle on the rocks, or put something with it on the rocks.

Will coral grow on the rocks? Maybe your lights are too bright?

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Haven't had any trouble yet - but also nothing in there to worry about. Just some zoas and ricordia (plenty happy) and candy cane. Was waiting to stock until i was happy with the tank first. I have 5 fish. LOL (cardinal, file, royal gramma, yellow tang).

Have tried all of the above (repeatedly). It's literally weird. Imagine a bubble algae growing on said rock all covered in coralline - but the rock - completely ugly. LOL. Never seen this before - and not my first rodeo (first was in 2k). The glass will literally be fully overgrown if I dont scrape for 2 weeks. The overflow (beananimal) is one big layer of pinkish/purple.

Lighting may be too hot - but mars aqua leds with greens and reds removed and replaced with some UV leds... backed off on the intensity about 6 months ago as a test... made the ricordia happier.

- ryan

 

[outssider]

Alkalinity is the most important thing to test for. It will deplete way faster than anything else. Even a tank that's lightly stocked can deplete alkalinity fast if there is coralline algae growing in the tank.....(you do have it growing, just not on the rocks)

 

[foreverreef]

I would look at your lights. On my big tank I struggle to get Coraline on rock as it is directly under my lights but grows everywhere else no problem. Also check you alk. I dose that big time but I also have a sulfur reactor that eats it up too. My guess is lights though to be honest

 

[rsain]

Thanks for the feedback all! I will do as suggested (ALK testing included). 2 years in to LEDs i'm still getting used to them compared to the old MH route.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

Greetings all,
Heck the coralline will even grow on the bubble algae and the snails. It will even grow on the rocks that came with various additions. But not the original what looks like fiji rock.

What gives? Zero other problems.
- ryan

That's very interesting. I wonder if a particular strain of bacteria exists on the Fiji rock only that is preventing coralline from establishing?

 

[rsain]

That's very interesting. I wonder if a particular strain of bacteria exists on the Fiji rock only that is preventing coralline from establishing?

That's kinda why I was posting. Again - everything seems healthy otherwise.

- ryan