Coralline Help

[Fishingpcola]

My tank has been up and running for 5 months with very little growth. I have seeded the rock with coralline scraping that were growing on pvc piping at a local store. Calcium is 460, alk is 10, mag 1400, and ph 8.2. My lighting is 8 48" T5's overdriven with icecap ballast. Bulbs 4 blue plus, 2 daylight, 1 75.25 and 1 aqua blue special. The lighting is whiter than what I really prefer. I do get some purpling on the rock but not spreading much. No coralline growing on the powerheads at all.
Any suggestions?
One other thing, I dose BRS two part.

 

[tkeracer619]

Give it some time. If you are having a little bit of purple on the rock it won't be long before its all over the place.

Consistent levels will help. You might also want to find a rock that is covered and add it to the tank.

 

[JTR0510]

as long as your seeing some of it means you have some there and it wont be too long before your rocks are covered in it

 

[HanoverFist]

I keep hearing phosphate can inhibit coralline too. Might want to check if those are elevated.

 

[Fishingpcola]

I keep hearing phosphate can inhibit coralline too. Might want to check if those are elevated.

I've tested, zero. Nitrates, zero.

 

[GiantBen]

I believe CA levels can effect it, but if you are doing regular water changes I'd expect that to be in order.

 

[LockeOak]

Any coralline growing in the dim areas of the tank? Sides/undersides of rocks, etc.? Coralline generally doesn't do well in very bright light.

 

[smpolyp]

Your numbers of alk you said were 10 is that DKH? If so your true alakalinity is 3.57 meq/L? I just ask this as I have seen a mistake in alk before and a 6 DKH was given for a 6 meq/L. I do not want to offend you, but could you tell us what you phosphate readings are? What are your temp readings in a days period?

 

[wrott]

Coralline algae is not a good thing to have--it clogs the pores of your LR etc...............
You need to do large (50%) WCs to correct the water problem, which it most certainly is, and probably lighting.
Just words for thought--i hope it turns out good for you, Merry Christmas my friend !!

 

[GiantBen]

Coralline algae is not a good thing to have--it clogs the pores of your LR etc...............
You need to do large (50%) WCs to correct the water problem, which it most certainly is, and probably lighting.
Just words for thought--i hope it turns out good for you, Merry Christmas my friend !!

Interesting. I always thought Coralline was desirable, as it can help compete with less desirable, intrusive algae, much like the purpose of a fuge.

 

[Fishingpcola]

I just tested the ALK, it was at 11dKH or 196.9ppm KH. The coralline I do have on the undersides of rock.

 

[Fishingpcola]

This time of year the tank temp is between 75-77 F.

 

[carlosR]

Well it's a matter of opinion and my guys say coraline algae is good. I got good coraline growth when I started using Bionic 2-part Ca and Alkalinity. Something in that mix really helps it along to the point I have plating growth on some l.r. like a challis coral, kind of cool.

 

[GiantBen]

I think that added Ca/alk in the two part is what the coralline needs.

 

[Fishingpcola]

Next time I replace my bulbs I will go bluer. I plan on 4 blue plus, 2 454, and 2 aqua blue specials. I really thing I have too much white in my current bulb selection especially over driving them.

 

[syedjilani]

Any update...? Did you replace your bulbs...?

Focus your attention on the phosphate levels and getting the rest of parameters stable.

Coralline likes blue/actinic light and doesn't do well with bright white as much. Some coralline do better in certain light intensity.

 

[Fishingpcola]

Not yet, but soon.

 

[Reefahholic]

Buy some purple up. Maybe that will help??

Heard good things.

 

[moonp13]

i recently scraped my coralline off the back glass cuz i didnt like the look. I love the look now, but I have coralline growing in my sand now and it looks terrible. :-(

 

[artman18944]

+1 on the lights being a little too bright....