no coralline? why?

[tonytran]

I bought some LR from an established tank and put it in my new setup. After a month or so, i started to notice coralline growth on my tank walls. Its been about 5 months now and for some reason that growth has stopped for the last 2 months. Im baffled. My calcium is steady at 400-420 and my alkalinity is stable at 10.2. What might be the problem?

 

[lpsluver]

Have any urchins in the tank? If so, I would blame it on them. If not maybe too much light? Something else?

 

[mikeandjenn99]

Has your alk always been at that level? I noticed more coralline growth once I bumped my alk up closer to 12. Also, how much flow do you have? I also notice more growth with more flow.

 

[tonytran]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10172417#post10172417 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lpsluver
Have any urchins in the tank? If so, I would blame it on them. If not maybe too much light? Something else?

No, no urchins. I have a 250 watt radium 20000k and 4 55 watt vho actinics that i keep on for 8 hours a day. Cant figure this out. I just tested my water and it was 420 calcium and 9.6 alkalinity...

 

[tonytran]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10172473#post10172473 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mikeandjenn99
Has your alk always been at that level? I noticed more coralline growth once I bumped my alk up closer to 12. Also, how much flow do you have? I also notice more growth with more flow.

Yeah i keep my alk from 9.6 to 11 now and even did so in the beginning when i was seeing the coralline growth. Flow is the same as before also. My crocea clam and other corals seem fine at these alk and kalk levels, but im not sure what is up with the coralline.

 

[tonytran]

I just remembered, I was rockin a BB up until a month ago when I added about an inch of sugar fine aragonite. Does that make any difference?

 

[EmDy]

a while ago, I used to keep the CA level at 440 and they just grow everywhere.

 

[stillcity]

What does early coraline growth look like?

 

[tonytran]

Can anyone help me get to the bottom of this? I bought some LR from an established tank and put it in my new setup. After a month or so, i started to notice coralline growth on my tank walls. Its been about 5 months now and for some reason that growth has stopped for the last 2 months. Im baffled. My calcium is steady at 400-420 and my alkalinity is stable at 10.2. What might be the problem?

 

[alexb518]

what r your magnesium levels?

 

[tonytran]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10173494#post10173494 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alexb518
what r your magnesium levels?

I dont test for magnesium. I dont think they would be way off. I perform weekly water changes of 10%.

 

[drummereef]

That would be my next question.... the mag. Depending on your salt mix it might be low. IO salt tends to run on the low side. Either way you probably see coralline wax and wane in your tank. I have periods of great growth and times where it's slow, just depends. Do you have any phosphate or nitrate issues? If there is any algae buildup on the glass it will inhibit coralline growth imo.

 

[tonytran]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10176171#post10176171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
That would be my next question.... the mag. Depending on your salt mix it might be low. IO salt tends to run on the low side. Either way you probably see coralline wax and wane in your tank. I have periods of great growth and times where it's slow, just depends. Do you have any phosphate or nitrate issues? If there is any algae buildup on the glass it will inhibit coralline growth imo.

Yup, I use IO. Wax and wane? Yeah I guess it had waxed and then waned and then hasnt waxed yet again. My nitrates are always 0, but I think I may have a phosphate problem because hair algae growth is just ridiculous in my tank. I try to keep my glass algae free, but there is some buildup on my pumps...although the pink is beginning to turn white. Was that any help for you to help me?