Why is my rock only green

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Mike7744

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I've had this rock for 3 years in different tanks. (Now in a 125) I started with 40 lbs of live gulf rock after some time I added 45 lbs of CaribSea dry rock. I have never been able to get any coraline algae to grow on the rocks. Everything is green. Even the live rock pieces are mostly green. What can I do different? This is a fowler tank, no inverts, predator fish only.
Here are my parameters
Ph - 8.0
Ammonia- 0
Nitrite- .1
Nitrate- 50
Alkalinity- 7.8
Calcium- 459
Phosphate- .25
Magnesium- 1200

I have tried purple up, but that just put my calcium up high. I was dosing calcium and Alkalinity very little, but saw no change.

Any ideas?

20250505_192758.jpg 20250505_192828.jpg 20250505_192835.jpg
 
You need a seed of purple coralline algae, a snail would work. Personally, I would not bother because scraping coralline algae is a huge time waster. Trust me, be happy.

May 5Th Cinco De Mayo GIF by Juan Billy
 
Fish only predator tanks Ime, in general, don’t have the conditions that favor coralline algae; which are low nutrients and palatable algae grazing inhabitants. Your rocks look typical of what I would expect and actually pretty interesting looking…
 
We have noticed that lighting can play a big part in growing coraline and water flow. A light fixture meant to keep corals healthy would also help grow coraline on your rocks.
 
I run a t5 fixture for lights, have good flow
 

WHAT MOST OFTEN MAKES YOU REACH FOR YOUR CAMERA AROUND THE REEF?

  • Coral behavior (feeding, extension, or movement)

    Votes: 1 4.8%
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