Struggling with coraline.

[Cavvy]

So, I have a question about coralline algae. I have not been able to grow it. I am wondering if I should promote this growth or not. I know that most people struggle with keeping their glass/pumps/equipment clean once it starts to take hold. My question is if it is worth it to help promote the growth or not. My parameters seem to be within range to make it grow, but since it is not growing, should I do anything to force it.

54 gallon bowfront
2 x xr15 Radion pro lights
9.4 alk
415 cal
1410 mg
7.4 N04
8.15 pH
0.32 P04
1.025 sg
I know my P04 is a little high, but I am working on bringing that down

The tank has been cycled for about 1.5 years but just switched from an octopus tank to a reef tank about 4 months ago.

 

[UncommonSense]

That’s odd! You clearly have enough light, and there’s a high likelihood the tank has been seeded with coralline algae from coral additions…

I’m wondering if there is a mis-identification issue?

Here’s my <4 month old tank’s growth… do you see any round-ish patches growing anywhere that appear to be encrusting like this?

 

[rt456]

I have same thing in my tank. It’s been up and been going a while (years) was initially FOWLR now a mixed reef set up corals going well but no coraline at all.

Went and bought some new live rock with it on to see if it will take off!

 

[D'sreef]

I know that I was thinking the same, then the guy at the LFS told me that all the green on my rocks was Coraline algae. I always had the pink and purple, so I didn't realize that the green was a thing. It also explained was it was so hard to keep it off my glass in my old nano. Between that and those micro tube worms.

 

[danet888]

Your parameters are pretty good, but the high phosphate can definitely slow coralline growth. Also, coralline usually likes lower light compared to your Radions running at full reef intensity. It might help to check PAR levels and make sure you've got shaded surfaces. And don't forget to keep your alk/cal/mg rock solid, swinging levels are worse than slightly imperfect ones for coralline.

 

[Cavvy]

That’s odd! You clearly have enough light, and there’s a high likelihood the tank has been seeded with coralline algae from coral additions…

I’m wondering if there is a mis-identification issue?

Here’s my <4 month old tank’s growth… do you see any round-ish patches growing anywhere that appear to be encrusting like this?

Thank you for the reply. No, I have not found any signs of new coraline growth, not even the initial white stages. Strangely I feel like I have seen some new or growing patches on a couple of my snail shells.

 

[Miami Reef]

Is it true you’re in Fort Lauderdale? I’m in Miami. I have this coralline strain that grows like crazy. I can drive there and give you a piece of my rock. It will seed your tank.

Take a look at this thread I made yesterday: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/h...added-dry-rocks-to-established-tank….1125783/

 

[Cavvy]

I know that I was thinking the same, then the guy at the LFS told me that all the green on my rocks was Coraline algae. I always had the pink and purple, so I didn't realize that the green was a thing. It also explained was it was so hard to keep it off my glass in my old nano. Between that and those micro tube worms.

I don't think that i have seen any growth of any color. I do have a couple pieces of live rock that have a really dark red algae on them that came that way when I put them in the tank. I have not seen those algae patches grow at all though.

 

[Cavvy]

Is it true you’re in Fort Lauderdale? I’m in Miami. I have this coralline strain that grows like crazy. I can drive there and give you a piece of my rock. It will seed your tank.

Take a look at this thread I made yesterday: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/here-is-my-coralline-algae-growth-rate-added-dry-rocks-to-established-tank….1125783/

I would totally be down to meet up with you to see if it would grow in my tank. How far down are you in Miami. We can find a time when we are nearby each other, or even better yet you could come and assess my situation and tell me if there is something I am doing wrong.

 

[Miami Reef]

We can find a time when we are nearby each other, or even better yet you could come and assess my situation and tell me if there is something I am doing wrong.

Sure. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your situation. It’s just a matter of adding the right strains. I have basically the exact same parameters as you. My PO₄ is 0.30 ppm, Nitrate around 12 ppm and my alk is around 10 dKH. These things grow like mad.

In general my Phosphate is from 0.08 - 0.20 ppm. I’m keeping it much higher now. Same thing. It doesn’t care. Just keeps growing.

 

[Cavvy]

I will also add that my Radion lights are on the LPS/Soft template, because that is the majority of my coral, but I have been contemplating switching to AB+. I just don't want to burn or tick off any of my current corals. Any advise on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Miami Reef]

Spectrum isn’t important with Radion. Any program used with them will be good for corals. You just need enough par. I have a par meter, too. lol

It looks like you have enough par if your corals are growing well. You seem to be doing very well.

 

[Cavvy]

Sure. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your situation. It’s just a matter of adding the right strains. I have basically the exact same parameters as you. My PO₄ is 0.30 ppm, Nitrate around 12 ppm and my alk is around 10 dKH. These things grow like mad.

In general my Phosphate is from 0.08 - 0.20 ppm. I’m keeping it much higher now. Same thing. It doesn’t care. Just keeps growing.

I was never sure if my P04 issues were a problem for this or not. I didn't think that would be enough on its own to prohibit the growth. I will also say that as of today my P04 has dropped to 2.2ppm.

 

[Mike1970]

I really wouldn’t stress over it, just keep your keep your parameters in check and it will come. there are some inverts that actually eat coralline so check to see if you may have them (tuxedo urchins think is one)

 

[Cavvy]

Spectrum isn’t important with Radion. Any program used with them will be good for corals. You just need enough par. I have a par meter, too. lol

It looks like you have enough par if your corals are growing well. You seem to be doing very well.

I have been wanting to check my par for so long. I haven't been able to spring for a decent par meter. I have been contemplating if it was worth spending the money on a cheaper $150 meter, or if I should get one from BRS and return it after stocking fees. Maybe I could just pay you for your time to come test it for me instead?

 

[Cavvy]

I really wouldn’t stress over it, just keep your keep your parameters in check and it will come. there are some inverts that actually eat coralline so check to see if you may have them (tuxedo urchins think is one)

I appreciate this consideration, but I only have blue legs, red scarlets, turbo snails, a sand sifting conch (which is the laziest living critter in my aquarium), and a hitchhiker brittle star that has never put more than an arm out in the very middle of the night.

 

[Cavvy]

Your parameters are pretty good, but the high phosphate can definitely slow coralline growth. Also, coralline usually likes lower light compared to your Radions running at full reef intensity. It might help to check PAR levels and make sure you've got shaded surfaces. And don't forget to keep your alk/cal/mg rock solid, swinging levels are worse than slightly imperfect ones for coralline.

My levels have fluctuated a little as I have adjusted to new coral additions and trying to figure out their consumptions. They haven't moved drastically though. My lights are also only on 60% intensity. I have wondered if I should change the intensity though. I had a spell where I had some dinos, so I didn't want to promote that, but I finally got my phosphates down some, and I added a diamond goby, and they have since disappeared.

 

[Cavvy]

Spectrum isn’t important with Radion. Any program used with them will be good for corals. You just need enough par. I have a par meter, too. lol

It looks like you have enough par if your corals are growing well. You seem to be doing very well.

I wouldn't say that my corals are growing much at all. I would just say that they are living right now.

 

[Miami Reef]

You can pm me.

 

[GuppyHJD]

What are you using to test Magnesium? My guess is that you are running a bit low. I would try some Seachem IONS. I doubt it's your lights, you have plenty and there are always pumps and shadow areas the coraline starts on.