coraline

brent_mclean · #1 03-14-2008, 02:28 AM

I've been in saltwater for a year now and keep my water pretty good.
calcium 450
nitrates-0
nitrites-0
ammonia-0
phosphates-0
alkalinity-10

I don't know what is wrong but i can never grow coraline. What is wrong here?
Thanks

marie · #2 03-14-2008, 02:57 AM

Count yourself lucky, I would love to not be able to grow corraline algae

.

What is your Mg level, growth seems to slow considerably when magnesium is low

Starry · #3 03-14-2008, 03:37 AM

I've read hermits and urchins can both eat coraline. If you have several maybe they are preventing growth?

Myka · #4 03-14-2008, 03:41 AM

I don't have coralline in my tank either...well very minimal anyway. I have "perfect" parameters including magnesium. The only thing I struggle with is low pH at around 7.8-8.0. I'd also like to know why I can't grow coralline.

Marie: You wouldn't like it if all YOUR rocks were stark white!!!! :P

untamed · #5 03-14-2008, 03:48 AM

What kind of lighting are you using?

Starry · #6 03-14-2008, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

I don't have coralline in my tank either...well very minimal anyway. I have "perfect" parameters including magnesium. The only thing I struggle with is low pH at around 7.8-8.0. I'd also like to know why I can't grow coralline.

Maybe if ya quit cookin 'em...

Brent: Do you have any coraline at all? You have to have at least some to seed other rocks, glass, ect.

Myka · #7 03-14-2008, 01:54 PM

^ Haha! I didn't have any before I cooked them either. I do have some on one rock. I find my coralline grows better on the shady side of the rocks... ??? Weird.

digital-audiophile · #8 03-14-2008, 01:59 PM

I've always been able to get good coraline growth on rocks but never seem to get much on the glass.

BC564 · #9 03-14-2008, 05:01 PM

I have a lot of coraline....I just assumed everyone did......I thought that meant the parameters were good....as a visual....lol...

justinl · #10 03-14-2008, 05:28 PM

coralline seem to be one of those things that can grow great in some systems, and do craptastic in very similar (and sometimes "better") systems. It's a crapshoot, and if it doesn't grow for you, then tough noodles unless you change something.

Ya might want to check Mg, as mentioned. I got my coralline going by scraping off some of the existing algae and dispersing the shavings around the rocks (pumps off for half an hour)