Finally - coralline growth starting

[reef150]

After many months now of no coralline algae growth on the sides of the tank and the PVC sub-structure, I'm finally getting a little bit of growth....

I'm attributing this to finally getting my calcium levels in line.... they were in the lower 200's when I realized how low they were (I have not yet added any corals, and was not too worried about it) and I've been bringing it up slowly with Calcium Chloride... as it entered the mid 300's or so the growth has started...

I've also noticed that as I've brought the calcium up, my hair algae as well some other less desirable algaes have all but gone away....

Of course, I'm sure in a few months I'll be cursing the blasted coralline for growing on the viewing glass

 

[CAT]

Cool Coraline likes calcium but it doesn't like intense lighting -mine never grows on the top of the rock, just the sides and of course, the glass...

 

[Reaper]

Cool! I'am waiting for mine to spread. I've heard if you turn the skimmer off and scrap off the coraline with a credit card, the coraline powder settles on the rock and increases the spread. Does coraline grow on the gravel/sand?

 

[CAT]

Does coraline grow on the gravel/sand?

It seems to grow on the larger bits, then the sandbed looks dirty... :roll:

 

[Reaper]

Thats strange Cat,

When you look at photos of coraline encrusted tanks, the sand is usually white, I guess people turn the sand over a bit to improve the photo image. :wink:

 

[Reaper]

Reef 150,

Congrats on the coraline growth! you said that you use calcium chloride. Is that different to calcium hydroxide(kalk)? My cal is stuck on 365 and the only coraline growth I have is on the base of the frags I've brought.

I've only been dripping kalk for 2 weeks though!

 

[reef150]

Ive been using Calcium Chloride carefully to bring the calcium up without also bring the Alk up as the Alk is already in the right range

I think some of my Calcium problems were a result of using too much buffer originally.....

A good article on the Alk / Ca balance and how to correct various imbalances is here:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Once I get the Ca up into the middle of the desired range of 380 - 450 I'll switch to Kalk drips to maintain it.... and then bring my Calc Reactor on-line when I'm certain the pH / Alk / Ca is stable.

Mike