Hey everyone, my names Graham... just thought id introduce myself. I currently have a 20 gallon running, with about 40lbs live rock, a dwarf lionfish, and abut 6 different corals. Im using 4x 24" T5 fixture ( 2x 460nm actinic and 2x 12k white ) and a hang on back protein skimmer and HOB filter. One bio-cube 30gallon rated power head and a heater ( which only turns on at night because my lights keep my tank right at 77 degrees all day ) Ive been researching and reading for about a year and a half now and just now found this forum with Oklahomans. Glad to be here, hope i can meet some people locally and become more educated as i progress in this hobby.I did meet Matt the other day, in Edmond, as i bought some frags from him ( thanks for the awesome deal BTW, if Matt happens to read this ) a quick question i have right now is, i have some pretty good GREEN corralline algae growth, and small small amounts of PURPLE corralline algae ( and some PINK ), but im wondering if theres a best way to expedite the growth of more purple. I dont have a calcium test kit yet, plan to pick one up this weekend, but im just wondering if dosing calcium and getting levels around 420-430 will help purple to grow more? or is it just kind of luck of the draw?
new to the hobby and RC
- Thread starter Graham670
- Start date
Welcome! You also want to keep your Alk levels up as well. Cal and ALK both are used for the corralline to grow. So you would dose both. Other than that it just takes time for it to really take off. Sounds like you have a good start! Before you know it you will have to scrape it off the glass. Good luck with your new tank!
ghellin
New member
Hi and welcome! Yes that is correct if you add both chemicals together they can form a precipitate and drop from your water column. When i dosed I would add one in the morning and one at night into an area of high flow, I have a sump so that's were I dosed. Some people use purple up to help increase their coraline but all it really does is add calcium which helps keep parameters in line, it does not contain coraline algae. I am here in Edmond and am happy to help with anything you need just ask!
Thanks ghellin. Im starting to gain some knowledge but i still have loads of questions amd lots of learning to do, so i appreciate offering the help. Ive been reading about the COMAS group and the monthly meetings and frag donor program, and just wondering about how many people attend the monthly meetings? And am i allowed to attend a meeting to check things out even if im not a registered member?
cjilge
New member
Yes, you can attend any meeting with out being a member. Membership gets you access to the club equipment, books, raffles/door prizes, frag program, and I'm sure im missing something. For the $25 membership you will walk away with more stuff over the course of a year to easily pay for itself, not to mention the Knowledge around you and a very willing club to help in times of need! Great group of people. meetings attendance varies from month to month but 20-50 is normal depending on weather, the topic, and time of year. Jan is usually the membership drive but I havent heard if it will be or not. You always want to make it to that meeting! Ask lots of questions, there are decades of experience on the forum and most of it came from doing things wrong the 1st time around. Welcome and good luck!
Chris
Chris
Hi Graham,
One thing that was missed in the above discussion of the calcium and alkalinity is the fact that magnesium should also be checked. Magnesium helps keep the calcium in solution and not precipitate out- and in turn this prevents the calcium from lowering the alkalinity should it precipitate out.
I would recommend you invest in 3 kits. Get the Salifert ones- Cal Mag and Alk. They are very simple to use.
Test magnesium first- Without this being correct there is no point in adding anything else.
Magnesium should be about 1300-1350ppm.
Adjust the magnesium levels to the above, wait a while and then test the alkalinity.
I like to keep my alk at approximately 9dKH. I find that above this I see stress in the acans and scolymias, below that I lose color in th stoney corals. Again, adjust to the value above.
You can now test for the calcium, though any additions you need to make should be performed a few hours after adding alkalinity to ensure that both go into solution easily.
The calcium level should be in the range of 430-450ppm.
Following these simple steps- every week will make a huge difference in your tank.
If you want to know more about what supplements to use and how to save a LOT of money making your own, just let me know and ill talk you through it.
Regards,
Paul.
One thing that was missed in the above discussion of the calcium and alkalinity is the fact that magnesium should also be checked. Magnesium helps keep the calcium in solution and not precipitate out- and in turn this prevents the calcium from lowering the alkalinity should it precipitate out.
I would recommend you invest in 3 kits. Get the Salifert ones- Cal Mag and Alk. They are very simple to use.
Test magnesium first- Without this being correct there is no point in adding anything else.
Magnesium should be about 1300-1350ppm.
Adjust the magnesium levels to the above, wait a while and then test the alkalinity.
I like to keep my alk at approximately 9dKH. I find that above this I see stress in the acans and scolymias, below that I lose color in th stoney corals. Again, adjust to the value above.
You can now test for the calcium, though any additions you need to make should be performed a few hours after adding alkalinity to ensure that both go into solution easily.
The calcium level should be in the range of 430-450ppm.
Following these simple steps- every week will make a huge difference in your tank.
If you want to know more about what supplements to use and how to save a LOT of money making your own, just let me know and ill talk you through it.
Regards,
Paul.
chaderic26
New member
+1
blakers82
Member
Graham,
Welcome to RC's COMAS forum. The club also has its own website and forums there. I just wanted to throw that out there. If you sign up for the club, you can check out the forums there. It's Mycomas.com Do yourself a favor and hit up the next COMAS meeting! Well worth it!
Happy Reefing.
Welcome to RC's COMAS forum. The club also has its own website and forums there. I just wanted to throw that out there. If you sign up for the club, you can check out the forums there. It's Mycomas.com Do yourself a favor and hit up the next COMAS meeting! Well worth it!
Happy Reefing.
madkat
New member
madkat
New member
send it to madkat@okgoatherd.com. and I will sticky it over at mycomas. I will also add any other docs you have. If you have the one on the live rock about 6 months ago I will add that too.
Tanya has reinstated me as the web guy.
