Coraline Alge

[purduemaximus]

What is the best way to promote colraline alge rather than the ugly green stuff that grows on the tank. I have a 29 gal with two 75 watt VHO's about 50 lbs live rock. I do not however add calcium would that help? Or what does it need to thrive? Thanks.

[zhenya]

May I ask how old is your tank and if you have any coralline algae anywhere in your tank? I've found that light is not that important for the coralline growth but alkalinity and calcium levels are.Before you start adding I would run tests and then add accordingly.Try to bring those to a natural SW levels.I think coralline grows better in the high water flow and shaded areas then brightly lit parts.If your tank is still young then probably all you need is time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[purduemaximus]

The tank was set up in August of 02. There is coraline on the live rock but that is all.

[zhenya]

FWIW, all my PH(powerheads) directed at the glass and I have to scrape it from coralline often /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif,I also use B-Ionic balanced additives for calcium and alkalinity.The levels are calcium at 450ppm and alk is at 11.4 dkh,the most coralline is growing where pH hit the glass and current is high.