Little coralline algae?

[mtnrunner]

I have a 90 gal mixed reef that is many years old, and overall is good. Within the last several months, my coralline algae has diminished. SPS are growing good. The existing coralline algae is just sitting there and not growing like it has in the past. It is even dying off on the glass. Same as no new growth on the rock.

Cal = 432
Alk = 10
Mag = 1335
pH = 8.35
Temp = 76
Potassium = 360
Nitrite = 3ppb
Phosphate = .01 ppm

I dose Acropower, iodine, nualgi

Lights are 2 MH and 4 actinics. Blues run 13 hrs and MH run 6 hrs.

Why am I not getting good coralline algae?



Thanks

 

[mtnrunner]

Chart of Cal and Alk

 

[tyler1503]

Have you added any new rock or anything? Because it has disappeared instead of bleaching it makes me think something is eating it and it's not a chemistry thing.

 

[Ladysaber]

I have perfect params and can't get my 90 to grow coralline.. My nano has it like a weed.. Lol

 

[JFrar]

i have had same thing going on with my 85gal. glass used to be covered in back and now there is like 10% coverage..same goes for my rocks.. and i have bunches of LPS/SPS corals doing great.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Just how much hard corL do you have? Coralline cant out compete for nutrients, id say your corals are stealing it from your coralline. Maybe up your elements.

 

[Ladysaber]

I'm about 50/50 between LPS and SPS in my 90. My nano is mainly all SPS. Of course, I've heard mix reactions from those who hate it as much as they do Xenia and from those who just let it go nuts

 

[Reefing Madness]

In your nano, would you say its stocked as heavily, coral wise, as your 90g

 

[Ladysaber]

That's a good question. The nano is my seahorse tank, so it's stocked with a ton of frags (Gotta love Mike). I have 2 pieces of LPS, both hammers. Rest of the coral is zoas, gorgonians, toadstools, vespitularia.

I think I have a few factors why it does better on the nano. My salt mix for the nano is Kent, whereas I use TM Bioactif on my 90 and 150 (seahorses didn't like the TM for some odd reason). I use 1 Kessil 360W light on the nano, 2 Radions on the 90.

Here's the kicker.. I do a nearly 90% water change on the nano each week. The ponies are nasty pigs. My 90 gets a 20% change every 2 weeks because I dose and once every 2 months I do a 60% change. This I think is the big difference.

Jenn

 

[Av8Bluewater]

Seems like those big water changes would be plenty to resupply a potassium deficiency but still may worth a look.

 

[Reefing Madness]

That's a good question. The nano is my seahorse tank, so it's stocked with a ton of frags (Gotta love Mike). I have 2 pieces of LPS, both hammers. Rest of the coral is zoas, gorgonians, toadstools, vespitularia.

I think I have a few factors why it does better on the nano. My salt mix for the nano is Kent, whereas I use TM Bioactif on my 90 and 150 (seahorses didn't like the TM for some odd reason). I use 1 Kessil 360W light on the nano, 2 Radions on the 90.

Here's the kicker.. I do a nearly 90% water change on the nano each week. The ponies are nasty pigs. My 90 gets a 20% change every 2 weeks because I dose and once every 2 months I do a 60% change. This I think is the big difference.

Jenn

Makes sense to me.

 

[Ladysaber]

Exactly. I've broken off chunks (more like shards) and have thrown it in the 90. I have CUC members who are covered in it from my 150 in the 90. I even used the exact same rocks from my 30g (which was covered in CA before I upgraded to the 90). I'm wondering if it isn't the salt mix and the lights, together, that's preventing the CA from growing. It's not melting/bleaching, but it hasn't budged either. Coral growth is great as are the fish.

At this point, I'm not complaining (though it seems like I am.. Lol). It just means it's one less tank of glass that I need to scrape down every week. [emoji2]