coraline question

[woogy]

Why don't I have any coraline in my tank??

Is it my lighting??? I only have 2fo bulbs in my tank. I was told this didn't matter by some people...i am upgrading my lighting system after I get my income tax return:rollface:

I use oceanic salt...which i hear isn't the best so what should i switch too?

[Fish_wiz2]

Nothing matters for coralline just good calcium levels (420-450) and medium to strong lighting (PC).

[woogy]

ok...i never tested for calcium...so I can buy some calcium supplement to help?

I suppose my lighting is low lighting?

[gws76]

If your not testing for it, don't add it. I suggest if your going to add calcium, get a calcium test.

[woogy]

I will get a calcium test but obviously my calcium must be low if I don't get any coraline growth...unless it is my lighting?

[Jeremy_holt]

Your calcium probably is low. When you go to the LFS they are going to try to sell you "Purple UP". This is a waste of money. Just get your calcium levels correct and your new lighting and it will develop on its own. Taks a few months to really start coming in but when it does it is exciting

[woogy]

yes i hear that purple up is garbage...so my lighting is too low?

[Young Frankenstein]

MH

[mokkong]

another newbie question, is it necessary to dose magnesium to grow corraline or the calcium recipe ( 1 part solution ) by randy will be enough. thanks.
I havent tested my magnesium and dkh since i started this hobby ( 1 year ago ) but it seems the soft corals are all thriving and i have healthy fishes.

TIA.

[drparker]

Calcium magnesium and alkalinity are all related. I just recently brought my calcium and magnesium up and my coraline exploded with growth. but you have to have some to begin with. Do have anything with coraline on it in the tank?

[woogy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11743079#post11743079 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drparker
Calcium magnesium and alkalinity are all related. I just recently brought my calcium and magnesium up and my coraline exploded with growth. but you have to have some to begin with. Do have anything with coraline on it in the tank?

I have some rocks covered with a little purple...is this coraline???

[ahullsb]

Yes that should be coraline. Drparker is right. If you want coraline, you need to test and maintain calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium. Magnesium might not need to be added. I have to. Keep magnesium above 1250ppm. Keep your calcium around 400 or above, and the most important in my opinion is alkalinity. Keep it between 8-11 dkh. If you keep all of those parameters in check you will have a ton of coraline.

[atrain5851]

my lfs store swears by a product called c balance... i am using it now but as my tank was just recently setup i have not noticed any drastic changes... but so far everything is really healthy

[mikeyj28]

i have had my tank set up for about 1 month, my mag is 1500 my alk is 7dkh and the calcium is 420. Now my question is just the back wall of my tank is been turning Neon green and the bottom half is like dark brown all short stuff. with a few hair algae. Now my rocks are starting to turn purple with coraline, but what about the crap on the back wall is that the strat of coraline too? Oh yeah and i have like a few small white spots starting on the wall too. Coraline?

[ahullsb]

The algae in your tank is perfectly normal. They will go away eventually. Coraline can appear as little specs of white or purple that encrust on the glass.