Coralline algea going away

Ruth · #1 09-03-2005, 03:08 AM

Until about a month ago I was constantly scraping coralline off my glass. My back wall, powerheads and overflow walls were covered in it. Now it has all turned green or else just gone away - it's hard to scrape but not like coralline that chips off. I am not getting any new growth on my tank walls. I have made 2 changes in my tank in this time. The first was to put my calcium reactor on line and the second was to change my bulbs to Giesemann 13000K (my previous ones were Coralvue 15000K). I still have lots on my live rock and it is not turning green or fading. My water tests at:
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 5-10
Calcium - 480
Alk. - 3.2 meg/l
Mg. - 1350
Ph - 8.2 - 8.5

Any ideas? Not that I particularly like scraping coralline off my tank walls but I am concerned that soon my rock will go the same route.

Psyire · #2 09-03-2005, 03:16 AM

My guess would be that it's your lighting change.

Coralline is a deep water algae so it typically likes less light and you just went alittle brighter, so it's probably just going through an adjustment phase. I'm sure it'll come back but probably grow in different areas. Coralline adjustment peroids can take several months I believe, I wouldn't worry to much about it.

Skimmerking · #3 09-05-2005, 04:12 AM

I cant see that the lights are doing it 13K from 15K May be the tests kits are messed up. Check out maybe checking on gettign a new test kit...

Ruth · #4 09-05-2005, 04:26 AM

My test kits (all Salifert) are all fairly new except the nitrate one. I have a new nitrate test kit (nutrafin - it's all they had at the local shop) and it tests the same as the salifert. Do you think it has to do with bringing the calcium reactor on? Do you think I should dial it back some - less CO2 - less flow? All livestock and corals are doing well - eating well - growing well. It just this darn coralline. I don't really want to go out and replace all my test kits so which one would you suggest I might want to look at that could be contributing to the loss of "the purple stuff"?

Jack · #5 09-05-2005, 05:38 AM

Have you tested for phosphate?

Psyire · #6 09-05-2005, 06:05 AM

The only reason I'd dial back the calcium reactor is if it's causing your tank's pH to be lower than normal. Other than that, the additional calcium would be a good thing. I still think it's your lights, how much of a difference do you notice in your lighting? The difference in PAR between those 2 bulbs you mentioned should be substantial.

IslandReefer · #7 09-05-2005, 11:08 AM

Hey Ruth ,
If it is the difference in PAR intensity...as the crowd seems to think....look for differences in coralene growth or recession in brightly lit top areas vs the shadows or deeper in the tank.
Good luck

Ruth · #8 09-05-2005, 11:50 AM

Yes I have tested for phosphate and it is at less than .03 ppm.
My ph is holding steady and that is why I have been reluctant to dial back the reactor.
I have been leaning towards the lighting myself as there is a noticable difference in appearance to the 2 bulbs. The Giesemann has a much more yellow look to the naked eye. I don't have a lux meter or have access to one so can only go by appearance.

Skimmerking · #9 09-05-2005, 01:54 PM

What is your PH at now there Ruth...

mike

Ruth · #10 09-05-2005, 02:06 PM

PH is at 8.2 right now. I am using a Milwaukee monitor but yesterday I also calibrated my pinpoint (also calibrated the Milwaukee) because I wanted to make sure I was getting an accurate reading. Both are reading the same. My lights (PC's) just came on 30 minutes ago.