coralline algae tips

[michael99420]

hi, im am a new "reefer" and i have my live rock placed, and i have light coralline algae growth. i am using a corallife aqualight (48") for lighting. i have heard mixed ideas for growing more coralline algae including only using the atinic lighting for two weeks for 24 hours a day. i have also heard that i should try to scrape off existing coralline algae while syphoning the sediment, and then use the sediment around the tank to seed the rest of the rock.the tank was just recycled when i decided to go reef, and the only thing that hasnt dropped yet is my nitirite, and it is very low, so very close to gone.i am using calcium regularly. any tips will be welcome, and if it worked for you tell me it. ill try anything as i am very patient when it comes to this venture, thanks in advance for any and all help!

[Kevin1000]

Your coralline algae will spread on its own with a little patience and a reasonable level of calcium.

[michael99420]

should i leave the lighting alone? as it is i have my atinics on for 12 hours, and my whites on for 10. i dont know if i am overdoing it, or if its fine with what i have been doing.

[Kevin1000]

I don't think your lighting schedule will influence the coralline. In general corraline does better is low lighting - your lighting looks pretty modest and I would not see a problem with any configuration you have. As your tank matures your corraline will have to compete for space with other algaes - thats more of a challenge.

[jesspaul]

Like Kevin1000 said

corraline will have to compete for space with other algaes

keeping the rocks clear so corraline can grow is job one IMO. I think actinic are second most important. I don't remember seeing any corraline growth till I added actinics.

[kskvarci]

Originally posted by jesspaul
Like Kevin1000 said keeping the rocks clear so corraline can grow is job one IMO. I think actinic are second most important. I don't remember seeing any corraline growth till I added actinics.

I have good coraline growth with two 10K 250W DE halides on a 65 gallon tank. Very bright lights with no actinic supps.

Who knows what the recipe for success is. Things took off when I began to dose Kalk/B-Ionic/Turbo Calcium. make sure that you are measuring calcium and alk and keeping things at optimal levels.

I agree with keeping the rocks clear. Coraline wont grow ontop of hair algae/diatoms...

If you havent seen this, take a look:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

This is one months worth of dosing. This tank has been up for only three months.

[michael99420]

thanks guys, i appreciate the help!

[TwtyBrd]

Our tank was set up on Feb 14 this year and we have coraline starting on the back glass and anything plastic it seems, we dont do anything but small weekly water changes and phyto 2x's a week, seems that when we added a 3rd powerhead pointing across the back it helped alot. For actinics we have a couple NO uri bulbs.