Hi all,
I have a 65G mixed reef with SPS/softies/inverts and fish, established 2.5yrs ago. I used Purple Up initially when I started to see some coralline. Within a few months I had deep purple solid coralline all over the rock. It took a hit when my dosing pump got messed up and calc/alk dropped (around 6 months ago). I didn't lose corals but the coralline turned fairly pale. Since then I'm back on track- very consistent Ca 440ish, dKh high 8's/low 9's, mag 1350ish. I've been keeping the nitrates around 8 (not sure if that affect coralline). last I check iodine (maybe a month ago) was ok. Weekly 20% water changes.
The corals are happy, lots of growth esp w birdsnest, Acro's etc. However, while the coralline turned purple again, and there is new coralline on stuff I add (like frag plugs etc), it just doesn't seem as vibrant and dense as when it first grew and covered everything.
I do have some of those small white starfish that hitchhiked in, but I try to keep up and pluck them out whenever I see them/can get to them. I definitely think they graze the coralline as when I remove them there is a small white area on the coraline. I don't think I have enough of them in the tank to account for the coralline issue.
Any ideas? Other things I shoulder check/replenish?
Thanks in advance,
Brad
I have a 65G mixed reef with SPS/softies/inverts and fish, established 2.5yrs ago. I used Purple Up initially when I started to see some coralline. Within a few months I had deep purple solid coralline all over the rock. It took a hit when my dosing pump got messed up and calc/alk dropped (around 6 months ago). I didn't lose corals but the coralline turned fairly pale. Since then I'm back on track- very consistent Ca 440ish, dKh high 8's/low 9's, mag 1350ish. I've been keeping the nitrates around 8 (not sure if that affect coralline). last I check iodine (maybe a month ago) was ok. Weekly 20% water changes.
The corals are happy, lots of growth esp w birdsnest, Acro's etc. However, while the coralline turned purple again, and there is new coralline on stuff I add (like frag plugs etc), it just doesn't seem as vibrant and dense as when it first grew and covered everything.
I do have some of those small white starfish that hitchhiked in, but I try to keep up and pluck them out whenever I see them/can get to them. I definitely think they graze the coralline as when I remove them there is a small white area on the coraline. I don't think I have enough of them in the tank to account for the coralline issue.
Any ideas? Other things I shoulder check/replenish?
Thanks in advance,
Brad
