Coralline algae and nuisance algae

[FRANK48]

So I’m trying to grow coralline algae by supplement dosing. I was just curious if doing this could stop the hair algae in my tank

 

[blaxsun]

Unlikely. You'll probably have to deal with the hair algae issue separately.

 

[New&no clue]

You will still have GHA, my tank is pretty much covered in coralline, but the GHA is still there too.

 

[ectoaesthetics]

I think it helps. Will it go away? Nope! But ime it will move into patches rather than blanketing the tank.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

So I’m trying to grow coralline algae by supplement dosing. I was just curious if doing this could stop the hair algae in my tank

What is it that you are dosing?

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Short answer: Reduce Phosphates, reduce GHA. Increase/stable Calcium increase coralline.

 

[FRANK48]

Short answer: Reduce Phosphates, reduce GHA. Increase/stable Calcium increase coralline.

That’s what I’m currently doing now thanks

 

[FRANK48]

What is it that you are dosing?

Red Sea coralline

 

[James_O]

I also have lots of coralline, but also GHA.

 

[Lavey29]

I'm starting to get a fair amount of coraline growth but still GHA in patches also.

It is healthy to have some green and hair algae in a tank right or do you want it spotless of algae except maybe in the refugium?

 

[James_O]

I'm starting to get a fair amount of coraline growth but still GHA in patches also.

It is healthy to have some green and hair algae in a tank right or do you want it spotless of algae except maybe in the refugium?

It’s not “healthy” per say, but it’s not horrible either. It would be ideal to not have ANY algae, but that’s an impossible task. Even very experienced reefers get algae occasionally.

 

[FRANK48]

It’s not “healthy” per say, but it’s not horrible either. It would be ideal to not have ANY algae, but that’s an impossible task. Even very experienced reefers get algae occasionally.

I’m stating to doubt I even have any gha because when I look at pictures my gha doesn’t look nearly half as bad. Could it be anything else that’s draining my phosphate and nitrate?

 

[Lavey29]

I’m stating to doubt I even have any gha because when I look at pictures my gha doesn’t look nearly half as bad. Could it be anything else that’s draining my phosphate and nitrate?

How many corals do you have versus how many fish? Maybe there is not enough to satisfy your corals needs. Heavy in heavy out is the common practice.

 

[FRANK48]

How many corals do you have versus how many fish? Maybe there is not enough to satisfy your corals needs. Heavy in heavy out is the common practice.

I have 6 fish and 5 corals

 

[Lavey29]

I have 6 fish and 5 corals

Well I guess normally someone asks for your parameters, how old is the tank. Lights, etc... I will tell you that I dosed that purple helix stuff several times about 3 months ago. My tank is 7 months old. Once I really focused on my numbers particularly nitrate and phosphate the tank seemed to finally start balancing out and moving to the next phase of maturity. At 7 months now, I have decent coraline starting, still patches of GHA on rocks, left over diatoms or cyano on the sand but everything seems to slowly be going away and improving.

I would focus heavily on your water numbers and make sure your light and flow is good not to intense. Patience wins this battle. I also started focusing on natural approach. Only carbon bag in my sump and skimmer. No chemical media. Phosphate at .08 today and nitrates 7.5. Cal 478 alk 8.7, mag 1430, salinity 1.026. Temp 77.3. I check these 2 or 3x per week now and if I keep similar numbers the tank stays stabil and coraline has been growing. This is a very challenging hobby and my hats off to those that can maintain those big beautiful reefs and fish. I have a lot to learn.

 

[FRANK48]

Well I guess normally someone asks for your parameters, how old is the tank. Lights, etc... I will tell you that I dosed that purple helix stuff several times about 3 months ago. My tank is 7 months old. Once I really focused on my numbers particularly nitrate and phosphate the tank seemed to finally start balancing out and moving to the next phase of maturity. At 7 months now, I have decent coraline starting, still patches of GHA on rocks, left over diatoms or cyano on the sand but everything seems to slowly be going away and improving.

I would focus heavily on your water numbers and make sure your light and flow is good not to intense. Patience wins this battle. I also started focusing on natural approach. Only carbon bag in my sump and skimmer. No chemical media. Phosphate at .08 today and nitrates 7.5. Cal 478 alk 8.7, mag 1430, salinity 1.026. Temp 77.3. I check these 2 or 3x per week now and if I keep similar numbers the tank stays stabil and coraline has been growing. This is a very challenging hobby and my hats off to those that can maintain those big beautiful reefs and fish. I have a lot to learn.

How could I raise my nitrates ?

 

[Lavey29]

How could I raise my nitrates ?

The obvious is more fish and feeding. I only had 2 fish I'm my tank for 3 months and kept adding corals. Nitrates and phosphate bottomed out and bad things happened in the tank. I double dose neophos and neonitro from brightwell. Took several weeks before I started seeing measurable numbers. Once the water parameters got back in line tank began clearing up followed by coraline starting. With 7 fish now no supplemental dosing is needed.