Coraline Algae Problem

[silvia]

Hi everybody,

I'm new to this list, and this hobby, just hopping might get some valable information from all experienced reefers on this list.

Anyway, here is my setup, i have a 20 gallon long all glass tank, with 10 gallon sump/refugium which contain miracle mud, caulpera, and bio balls, for lighting, i have a JBJ 24" retrofit with one 65 watt actinc and one 65 watt day light power compact bulb. This tank has been setup
for about 2 months, forget to mention 1" of Live sand and 35 lb of Live rocks. Also it has a couple turbo snail and 4 hermit crabs.

My problem so far is, all of my existing coraline algae starting to turn light purple or even white. i been adding supplement like calicum, aklinity, and Ecosystem solution, which include whole bunch of other stuff. I havn't purchase any live stock in there yet, what would be the best way to save my coraline algae, and does it mean that my water quality is having problem? Sorry for such a long message, look forward for any reply or suggestion, i would really appreciate it. thanks in advance.

Silvia

 

[Tybond]

Silvia,

I have had my 55 up for a year and my coraline is just now beginning to look good. It took this long for the hazed stuff to start coming around.
Don't freak out yet.
PC bulbs seem to cause slower coraline growth from what I am finding out. I don't know why but it never fails, I ask and I get the same reply that it starts slow then all at once it seems to kick in and take off fast.

You said your adding calcium and alk buffers?
are you testing your calcium level? Its good to keep it at above 400 but with a fresh tank with no real load in it, you shouldn't be loosing calcium very much yet.

Also are you checking other parameters: nitrite, ammonia, nitrate?? These are your big ones at start along with salinity and ph.

I have seen systems locally that are well over 5 years old and they only show minimal coraline growth but the tank is very stable and doing great so I wouldn't place a high concern on your algea yet. Patience is the mother of this hobby and if your parameters look good and your not having problems wait for a while.

I myself used a deep sand bed 6" deep and no sump so I canb't really comment on your filtration setup other than to suggest you look around for info on the bio balls. I read here a lot of people pull them out because they lead to problems with phosphates and nitrates building up.

I hope this helps you.

ty

 

[danmhippo]

I have seen many extraordinary system with lush growth of purple coraline using dim (Not as bright) lights, especially those NO or VHO only lights. I myself never has luck with purple or even pink corallines. I have white and green growing, but never purple. I have only once turned a rock over and found pink growing on the underside of it.

If you are sure your water is high in alk and CA, plus NO3 and PO4 levels are low, then the culprit could be your lights.......Too bright.

But, trust me on this, you may not want to have coralline growing all over your tank as they are tough to scrape off and may render your plumbing and powerhead inefficient. JME

(edited for spelling error).........(sigh)

[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: danmhippo ]</p>

 

[fishfarmer]

I had a lot of my coralline algae bleach in the first couple months when my setup was new. My thought was that the coralline on the rock was growing under natural lighting and was then placed under a different lighting type in my tank. There are lots of different species of coralline, some do better under stronger lighting, some under weaker. Give your tank time and balance your calcium and alkalinity, it make take a few months to see significant growth.

 

[silvia]

thanks for all these reply, so far this is the best list that i had experience so far on the net, after reading all you guys idea, just make me feel a lot better with my tank,
probably i will start adding a blenny or a couple cleaner shrimp by the end of this week, hope everything will be fine.
Thank you so much for all the good reply. i really appreciate it.

Silvia

 

[Tybond]

Your welcome silvia, Good luck with your reef!
ty

 

[somethings fishy]

Be carefule what you wish for I have coralin growing out of control on the glass of my tank and constantly have to scrape it off. Rather annoying to me. It does look nice but why can't it grow only where you want it too!! I can't even see through the sides of my tank, I scrape and scrape and 2-3 weeks later I cant see again.

 

[Leopardshark]

Ok Sylvia, first of all WELCOME!!
Second, take out of your system those damn bio-balls, they suck.
Thirth, give those coralline time, and increase water flow in your tank, that will help to spread the spores.
Fourth, take a look at this site, that is a great site too.
HTH