A friend of mine has a 55 gal tank with Current PC's. After more than one year of good growth, his corraline algae is turning white and dissapearing in some spots. Light cycle is 10 or 11 hours sim. dawn to dusk and all of his levels test normal with fresh test kits??????? any ideas??????
Dissapearing Corraline Algae
- Thread starter JBOD77
- Start date
Reef'in Colorado
Reefer
It can turn white if left exposed to the air during a water change. I have had this happen after only about 10 minutes.
steve the plumb
In Memoriam
What is his calcium,magnesium,and alkalinity levels?How old are the bulbs?PC lights last about 6 months then they begin to lose par.
steve the plumb
In Memoriam
You should test magnesium.Calcium and mag coinside.If mag drops you require more calcium addition.You will end up having to use alot more calcium to maintain levels by having a lower mag level.Mag should be at 1350.I have mine at 1400.You are fine if levels is between 1350-1500.Are you using actinics?50/50?
steve the plumb
In Memoriam
He should be getting growth with the correct lighting.Seems his lights are good.I don't know what else it could be.If his calcium levels are fine he should get growth.Has he ever added magnesium before.Tell him to check levels and see what they are at.It might be a problem if levles are low.You can ask Randy on the ref chemistry forum.He is an expert.My friend has trouble growing coraline algea aswell .He has 3 x 250 mh bulbs and good water paramaters but it takes him long to grow coraline where as mine grows like crazy.
Craig Lambert
Premium Member
I agree with Steve. Check the Magnesium level. If it's never been checked I'll bet its low. Boost it to 1300-1325. That will help alot. It will also make Alk and Calcium easier to maintain in a balanced ratio:
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
steve the plumb
In Memoriam
If the mag is low don't freak out at how much you have to add.It will likely be alot.Use randys reef calculator to find out how much to add.Go to reef chemistry forum and find link.I don't know how to post it.More than likely your mag is to low and you are wasting calcium addition.Get it all in order.
Did they notice coraline dieoff after changing bulbs?Perhaps due to sudden increase in light quality(how long were old bulbs used?)Every time I bring home a new rock with nice,dark purple coraline growth,it seems to loose its depth of color(turns pinkish) over some time,but then comes back.
steve the plumb
In Memoriam
depends on demands of the tank.If so people wouldn't need calcium reactors and trace element adding would not be required.
