Minimum Lighting For Coralline algae

[dwall174]

What would be the minimum lighting period for just coralline algae in a FOWLR (4X65 PC lights two actinic & two 10,000k)

[Mr. Ono]

you can get a good growth with NO bulbs and decent water flow. I actually had coralline growing inside a skimmer. The only light source was what when thru the blue back of my refu tank.

As for photoperiod 6-8 hours would be enough

[dwall174]

Thanks for the reply! I'm going to be working out of town most of this summer & I wont have the time to finish setting up my reef until this winter! I plan to give the fish to a friend & just keep the LR in there until this winter.

[Doug1]

well the lighting you have is OK but it needs calcium , etc as well

[dwall174]

I do have an auto top-off system so I should not have to worry about the water level! I will still do a 20% water change once a month! I hadn't thought about the Ca? Maybe I can use a drip style doser? I will get back home about every two weeks? Any ideas?

[ReefDave]

I've actually heard of people having better luck with the lighter colors (oranges and pinks) with the lower light. However like doug said CALCIUM...you ill have to dose with kalk if you want that nice covered look.

[dwall174]

Well ok let me rephrase my original question! I’m thinking of going back into “OTR” (Over The Road) Truck Driving! If I do I will be gone for two weeks at a time! I’m trying to figure out how to keep just the LR & LS alive through out the summer & fall with me only getting back every two weeks? Or maybe my best option is to just sell the 60lbs of LR & 200lbs of live SD Sand?

[Prismaco]

I would keep it all and dose it with CA

Druck Driving... my dad does that


-Paul

[thefatman]

you may want to drop in a prawn when you come home every two weeks, to keep the bacteria alive and thriving through the summer. then on each return trip, toss it out and put in a fresh one.

just my opinion though, there may be another way.

[dwall174]

Originally posted by thefatman
you may want to drop in a prawn when you come home every two weeks, to keep the bacteria alive and thriving through the summer.

What's a "Prawn" I did replace the bio-balls to help with the bacteria? I’m not to worried about them creating nitrates & causing hair algae because I plan to upgrade to a larger tank this winter anyway. I can clean & treat the LR for hair algae before adding it to the new tank?

[Junkzoo]

Originally posted by dwall174
What's a "Prawn"

small shrimp,,,sometimes called a "cocktail shrimp"
if ya get one at the grocery /seafood store, you'll get great looks when you ask for "just one" but you'll prob get it for free,,,

[dwall174]

Thanks! I have herd of using them to cycle a tank! But my tank is already cycled? Also I have all kinds of bacteria & critters living in the sand. The bristle worms alone would eat the shrimp?