- Is it true that coralline algae clogs live rock? 240 gal w/ 200lbs of pukani rock. I overfeed (but have 18 fat happy fish). Algae was NOT big a problem until I removed GFO and replaced with biopellets. FOWLR. PH 8, amm 0, nitrite 0, Nitrate 40 (just cut back to feeding 1x day), 1.023, point of sale .03 due to H2O water changes & GFO replaced back, chaeto in Bashsea media chamber 6-18 w/ grow leds (should they be on 24/7?), Bashsea twisted skimmer 8-24, Bashsea ss-48 sump, 2-Orbit marine IC pro 92 watt led's on 10 hrs ( I was told not to turn lights off it will upset water chemistry), turbo twist 36 watt UV on 24/7. I thought I had this. Obviously not. Besides the short algae on tops of rock, I noticed the beginning's of hair algae everywhere. I am open to any help.
Does coralline algae clog live rock
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Randy Holmes-Farley
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I’m not sure how the coralline would cause an algae issue, but it may reduce the surface area of rock that it is growing on, which could possibly reduce the available surface area for nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria.
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Fred B.
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When tank was set up I was told not to seed with coralline so I did not, but was told recently to seed tank to (help) inhibit hair + other algae. I am trying to get nitrates down & algae out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
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Fred B.
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When tank was set up I was told not to seed with coralline so I did not, but was told recently to seed tank to (help) inhibit hair + other algae. I am trying to get nitrates down & algae out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Randy Holmes-Farley
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There are lots of ways to reduce nitrate. Worrying about coralline isn’t a good one.
rkpetersen
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I've purposely created accelerated coralline algae growth in two tanks. It covers all illuminated rock surfaces at this point. Hair algae has nowhere to grow in the DT, although I do find it in and periodically remove it from the sump. I don't think that extensive coralline algae growth on your rocks will have any detrimental effect on your bacterial biofilter. For one thing, coralline won't be growing on any unlit surfaces, while bacteria will. The only issue for me with too much coralline algae growth is keeping up with the alk and calcium consumption that it creates, in addition to what's needed by growing stony corals.
