Coralline Algae

[Loverotties]

There's a stuff out on the market and if you want to beleive my LFS it works.It's called "Purple up".

[Viv]

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[H20cooled]

You want to add the kalk VERY slow, i would not reccomend dumping a whole bunch in when your water is low, you will cause a HUGE PH spike that can do alot of damage. Most people (my self inculded) use kalk with a auto-top off system so that it is added slow, my is added at about 1 drop per second.

The kalk will not hurt the tank it keeps your KH at the right level and also help maint your calcium.

Rich

[Ryan Mackey]

Any Ca++ buffering system will encourage the growth of coraline but some systems just seem to grow more than others. We have some tanks with tons of light, big Ca++ reactors, trace elements up the wazoo, and still only get modest coraline growth. If sheets of coraline and big purple nodules all over your rocks is the goal, I suggest you begin a calcium and trace mineral suppliment program and apply a waiting period. The color will begin to show in due time. In fish only tanks(where there are no corals "eating" Ca++ and minerals) it should be easy to keep your levels elevated between water changes with whatever system is easiest for you to use. Many of the 2 part calcium and alkalinity buffer systems are good and good values. I like the Kent Tech CB for this although there are others. We also use the Kent essential elements(for everything else) and there are many good products which do the same job. R2

[drock59]

another note; there is no need to buy the commercial kalkwasser powder like kent, secheam etc. Just type in mrs wages pickling lime in google. I paid ten bucks including shipping for three pounds of the stufff. It will last me a year and its exactly the same as the commercial stuff.

High flow, High calcium(+420), High alk, Stability, and LOW phosphate= coralline growth. From my experience, lighitng isnt really an issue. Under NO Flourescent lighting I got some really great growth and the same goes for when I had halides. Also, the lower the phosphate level in your tank the better coralline growth. do you have fuge??

Just my two cents

Oh ya and dont waste your money on Purple UP.