Coralline Growth & Lighting

[TheReefGeek]

Thanks for the reply! What color temperature are the MH bulbs? Is that the only lighting, or are you supplimenting actinics?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by TheReefGeek

Thanks for the reply! What color temperature are the MH bulbs? Is that the only lighting, or are you supplimenting actinics?

radium is a 20K and no other lighting, the main tank as stated is 10K and it has 2 actinic VHO on it also.

Steve

[Willow]

i had unreal coraline growth with my pc bulbs, dark purple and some of those weird fuzzy red patches. when i switched over to 10k 175's it almost stopped growing on the glass and it went white on the plastic but the rocks still look good. there are some coraline suppliments you can try, like "purple up" by salifert or a kent buffer with coraline accelerator.

[richtg]

Not trying to hijack, but this is what I do to boost coraline growth (see lighting on my signature below). I find big chunks of scrolling coraline in my tank and put them into my mortar and pestle.

Then I grind away with some tank water

Then just use a baster to spray the solution onto whatever rocks you want the coraline to explode. Works great for me.
Rich.

[TheReefGeek]

TJ, great tip, I had heard of scrapping and distributing, but mortor and pestel should work even better!

[Ruth]

I don't know if this is relavent but it is my observations on my tanks
230g - calcium reactor - 3X400W MH Geisemann megachrome bulbs (13K) 2X PC actinic and 2X 10000K daylight - coralline OK but was better when using coralvue 15K (I think) bulbs (glass tank)
190g - calcium reactor - 3X400W MH Geisemann X 2 and Reeflux X1 - 2 Actinic T5 and 4 10000K daylight T5 - good growth on rocks but not much on back wall or equipment (acrylic tank)
44g cube - no calcium reactor - 1 X 250W Geisemann megachrome bulb - no supplimental lighting - excellent coralline growth on all rocks and sides of aquarium and internal equipment (glass tank)
24G JBJ Nano - no calcium reactor and no supplimenting calcium (weekly 30% water changes with Tropic Marin salt) 1 X 175W MH (can't even remember the K) and 2 X VHO actinic - amazing coralline growth everywhere.

So from my observation it would appear that the VHO bulbs seem to spark the most growth and colour.

Just my 2 pennies.

[TheReefGeek]

I wonder if it is more color spectrum related, or PAR value..... I was thinking about trying NO lighting, 10K + actinics in 12" tubs with the lighting quite close to the surface of the water.