Coralline algae or calcium precipitation?

[kdtorgy]

I’m new to the hobby and colorblind which makes it extra hard. Is this coralline algae or calcium precipitation? Alkalinity is about 9.0 and calcium about 425 ppm.

 

[AydenLincoln]

How long has the tank been set up for?

 

[kdtorgy]

A little over 2 years. I just added a new pic.

 

[kdtorgy]

How long has the tank been set up for?

How long has the tank been set up for?

A little over 2 years. Here’s another pic.

 

[AydenLincoln]

A little over 2 years. Here’s another pic.

And can you post a photo under 100 white light or is that it? I’d say yes. Is it purple or pink colored?

 

[PrattysReef]

That's definitely the beginnings of coraline algae from what I've seen so far

 

[kdtorgy]

And can you post a photo under 100 white light or is that it? I’d say yes. Is it purple or pink colored?

Here's a pic under 100% white light.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Here's a pic under 100% white light.

in pic is coraline

 

[sfin52]

Yep corline. The green is prob corline.

 

[kdtorgy]

in pic is coraline

Thanks. Now just noticed I have vermetid snails. Any experience with these? Bumblebee snails?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks. Now just noticed I have vermetid snails. Any experience with these? Bumblebee snails?

Yes and they are effective in eating them as is applying a dab of gel superglue from dollar store over the opening of each tube

 

[kdtorgy]

Yes and they are effective in eating them as is applying a dab of gel superglue from dollar store over the opening of each tube

Online sources say bumble bee snails sensitive to nitrate above 20 ppm. Mine ranges from 40-60 - still trying to get down. should I wait until nitrate down or go ahead and get snails

 

[vetteguy53081]

Online sources say bumble bee snails sensitive to nitrate above 20 ppm. Mine ranges from 40-60 - still trying to get down. should I wait until nitrate down or go ahead and get snails

Thats quite high and a series of water changes will reduce this. What tes kits are you using ?

 

[Cali Reef Life]

You can also manually smash them with a tool to keep at bay I consider them not a big deal as long as the numbers are kept in check.

 

[kdtorgy]

Thats quite high and a series of water changes will reduce this. What tes kits are you using ?

They go down but then come back up again. I'm using the API Aquaspin. I've tested Ph and phosphate in this vs. Hanna and they are the same. Maybe nitrate is off but it's always been high. I don't think I'm over feeding but maybe. Give the tank a quarter size of reef frenzy a day and some pellets in the morning. I added a fuge about a month ago and nitrates/phosphate better but still high. Fuge is only about 7 gallons so I don't expect a huge drop. I'm adding some denitrifying bacteria (PNS ProBio from Algae barn soaked in a aragonite sand/rubble for the fuge bottom. People have reported reduced nitrate/phosphate with both products. I'm also starting to dose live photo from algae barn and have added copepods to my fuge