Coralline algae VOID??? Who really has an answer?

[TanksJB]

IMO, assuming Alk, Cal, and Mag are all within range and stable, and that you’ve seeded some coralline, PH is the main parameter to look at, below an average of 8.1-8.2 and it won’t grow. Light is also needed, but I don’t know if low light is better than higher light, I’ve had corraline grow too well in both types of light. My current tank is around a year old and is just now starting to grow coralline, as I’ve just in the last few months gotten my PH up (it was consistently 7.9-8.0 and is now 8.1-8.3).

My ph is higher than that and closer to 9 and still won't grow. Also plenty of calcium.

 

[Mr_Knightley]

While I don't have any theories myself, I do have some input. My tank has been running for two years now, started with 75% dry rock and 25% live, with plenty of innate coralline on rocks and frags. Since then, I get some sporadic growth over the years, with the absolute best of it occurring in the beginning when I was running a whiter spectrum. Mid-last year, I shifted to a more blue-heavy spectrum and the already sporadic spots of coralline began to fade and disappear. I have a pair of urchins & hordes of asterinas that are no doubt eating away at the stuff.
However, it's a different story in my refugium.
I started running the fuge as fuge beginning of last year, set it up with some Caulerpa prolifera and a reptile lamp, equipped with a cheap $2 LED house bulb from Walmart. Everything grew just fine, but after a while I began seeing dots of coralline appearing. Slowly but surely, these dots became patches and now, you can't even see through the side of the thing. Same tank, same parameters, just a different lighting configuration. I've noticed that it also seems to like areas of high flow, as it grows strongest where the tank drains into the sump & on the fuge's weir. I've also got a heft population of it growing inside my skimmer, on the wall facing the fuge.

So take from my story what you will. It seems that they like turbulent flow & a whiter spectrum, but that's just speculation.

 

[MaxTremors]

My ph is higher than that and closer to 9 and still won't grow. Also plenty of calcium.

If your ph is close to 9, it’s too high. You want a ph of 8.1 to 8.5.

 

[schooncw]

Not that your lfs is wrong but where did he hear this???

the LFS IS wrong!

 

[schooncw]

Elevated phosphate prevents growth

 

[Glenner’sreef]

While I don't have any theories myself, I do have some input. My tank has been running for two years now, started with 75% dry rock and 25% live, with plenty of innate coralline on rocks and frags. Since then, I get some sporadic growth over the years, with the absolute best of it occurring in the beginning when I was running a whiter spectrum. Mid-last year, I shifted to a more blue-heavy spectrum and the already sporadic spots of coralline began to fade and disappear. I have a pair of urchins & hordes of asterinas that are no doubt eating away at the stuff.
However, it's a different story in my refugium.
I started running the fuge as fuge beginning of last year, set it up with some Caulerpa prolifera and a reptile lamp, equipped with a cheap $2 LED house bulb from Walmart. Everything grew just fine, but after a while I began seeing dots of coralline appearing. Slowly but surely, these dots became patches and now, you can't even see through the side of the thing. Same tank, same parameters, just a different lighting configuration. I've noticed that it also seems to like areas of high flow, as it grows strongest where the tank drains into the sump & on the fuge's weir. I've also got a heft population of it growing inside my skimmer, on the wall facing the fuge.

So take from my story what you will. It seems that they like turbulent flow & a whiter spectrum, but that's just speculation.

This is science at its best! Thanks for your input.

 

[Pistondog]

I just read and posted this article (above). The one thing I took from it might very well be my lighting? I’ve recently switched out my lights from 3 Viparspectras to 4 Kessil a360x. We’ll see!

One tank gets sun in the morning due to windows and winter angle. Coralline like crazy, and other algae.
I think good lighting is key.
Make sure to update this thread when coralline shows.

 

[Piranhapat]

Blue lights will help while adding coralline algae spores.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

One tank gets sun in the morning due to windows and winter angle. Coralline like crazy, and other algae.
I think good lighting is key.
Make sure to update this thread when coralline shows.

Will do!!! Just added a very!!! Encrusted rock covered in only coralline. Two hours ago! That and a prayer right? Lol

 

[Hydrored]

Blue lights will help while adding coralline algae spores.

Why do you think blue light is the answer? My AI fuge light would grow sheets of it in my sump on my last tank. I run a 14k look and coralline has no issue growing along where the sun hits the corner of my tank has the most. I think changing spectrum impacts what potential coralline or existing coralline.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Didn’t ask. Until speaking with him I’d been if the belief you could just scrape it. Infect, I was hoping to get a chunk off one of their tank glass and go with that. Considering it can be spread by urchins eating it then it should work from scraping it.

I wonder if urchins eat more than they spread? And someone mentioned Asterina stars. If they’re cruising around eating coralline just as they appear then maybe they’re the problem?

 

[Pistondog]

I wonder if urchins eat more than they spread? And someone mentioned Asterina stars. If they’re cruising around eating coralline just as they appear then maybe they’re the problem?

I dont think they'd eat every speck. You'd see some coralline before they got to it.

 

[bruno3047]

I have tried everything as well and doubt high mag is the solution. I maintain mine about 1350 and use ATI lab tests on all trace elements and everything is in the right parameters for growth and yet nothing. I have seeded the tank as well as have rocks direct from the ocean with coralline on it and nothing. what is there dies back. I have lowered light intensity and nothing. I am now using blue light almost all the time to see if that has an impact in an experiment. I removed my corals to the sump with regular

See below

 

[bruno3047]

In my experience, I found that coralline algae grows best in dim daylight lighting with high calcium levels. As close to 500 as possible without crushing your ALK. Light temps between 6500 and 10K
PS Blue lights don’t help.

 

[GARRIGA]

I wonder if urchins eat more than they spread? And someone mentioned Asterina stars. If they’re cruising around eating coralline just as they appear then maybe they’re the problem?

Mine isn’t eating the coralline rock I brought. Seems more interested in the glass algae. Have heard others postulate they spread coralline while munching. Makes sense. Perhaps they poop it out too. That would be interesting

 

[GARRIGA]

In my experience, I found that coralline algae grows best in dim daylight lighting with high calcium levels. As close to 500 as possible without crushing your ALK.

My calcium is over 500. Odd benefit of using coral skeletons for filtration. Haven’t done anything about it hoping it spurs coralline growth. Other than snails nothing else in there to consume it. Was hoping to establish coralline before adding corals. Haven’t seen the coralline I added two weeks ago die off but haven’t seen new spots either. Fingers crossed. Am running a low white spectrum. Even added purple helix. Looking for scrapings this weekend. I’m trying everything.

 

[bruno3047]

My calcium is over 500. Odd benefit of using coral skeletons for filtration. Haven’t done anything about it hoping it spurs coralline growth. Other than snails nothing else in there to consume it. Was hoping to establish coralline before adding corals. Haven’t seen the coralline I added two weeks ago die off but haven’t seen new spots either. Fingers crossed. Am running a low white spectrum. Even added purple helix. Looking for scrapings this weekend. I’m trying everything.

If you keep your lighting in the 6500 to 10K range, and you have a solid seeding base, you’ll start to see algae growth. Lighting is key if you have the calcium levels. Blue lighting won’t help. Of course, it won’t happen overnight. I would say at least give it a month and a half to two months before you throw in the towel and try something else.

 

[bruno3047]

My calcium is over 500. Odd benefit of using coral skeletons for filtration. Haven’t done anything about it hoping it spurs coralline growth. Other than snails nothing else in there to consume it. Was hoping to establish coralline before adding corals. Haven’t seen the coralline I added two weeks ago die off but haven’t seen new spots either. Fingers crossed. Am running a low white spectrum. Even added purple helix. Looking for scrapings this weekend. I’m trying everything.

Just as an addendum, 6500 to 10K is also the ideal range for coral growth. We don’t use it because of the yellowish tint and it’s propensity for growing GHA. BTW. If you start to see GHA growing you need to remove it with a brush. The GHA will prevent the coralline from taking hold. But it will also condition the rocks for the coralline growth.

 

[Mr_Knightley]

Another observation I've made is that Coralline grows better in my 73f, never dosed nano tank that hasn't had a water change in 6 months. Super blue spectrum in that tank, however it's also very dim.

 

[GARRIGA]

If you keep your lighting in the 6500 to 10K range, and you have a solid seeding base, you’ll start to see algae growth. Lighting is key if you have the calcium levels. Blue lighting won’t help. Of course, it won’t happen overnight. I would say at least give it a month and a half to two months before you throw in the towel and try something else.

Not a throw in the towel kind of guy but I’m stuck with a Kessil Tuna Sun at the moment. Supposedly goes to 9k. Don’t know about that. Trying to decide between XR15 and AI Prime/Hydra. Hopefully that gets upgraded soon. What I have so far added seems to be doing fine. Still wanting to add shavings. Might even do the blender. Might as well throw everything at it including the kitchen sink. Once I find Trochus with coralline on them they are going in as well. Something gotta stick