Not Happy with Tank Progress

[Jacuzzi]

So I have had a 40 gallon TruVu with built in aquasystem where I run a small skimmer and filled the back with live rock. My tank has been running for about 9 months with about 50 pounds of live rock and live sand. I have about 10 hermits and various snails and alot of stomatellas. My problem growth or my few corals is very slow and coraline algae is extremely minimal. I run 2x150 watt 10k Halides with 4x39 watt T5's, halides run 7 hours a day and T5's are on for 12.
I compare this to my buddys 29 gallon biocube which has been running the same amount of time and his back is completely covered with coraline and his corals are growing much faster under his PC's. My parameters have always been normal since the tank cycled and my inhabitants are a few mushrooms, Zoas, some colt and frogspawn coral. I do weekly 5 gallon water changes and also dose purple up every few days but still nothing. I just like the look of coarline and I want it to cover my rocks but the lack of it has me a little worried. Any ideas?

[username in use]

First of all, stop dosing purple up, its pointless. You say your parameters are normal, but what are your calcium and Alkalinity levels and what is your S.G. and ph? You have a lot of light over that tank and its worth noting that coraline algae tends to grow better in the slightly lower light levels of the tank which is probably why your buddies tank has tons of it under pc's. The real key is maintaining stable Alk and Calcium levels, and the coralline will start to take off at some point, as will your corals.

[Toddrtrex]

To add to the above post, should also check your Mag levels.

Going to need numbers for Cal, Alk, and Mag to figure out what is going on.

[Madratter]

You have a lot of light over that tank and its worth noting that coraline algae tends to grow better in the slightly lower light levels of the tank which is probably why your buddies tank has tons of it under pc's.

+1

And what are your levels.

[eyebedam]

I agree with all the above post. Just out of curiousity why are you running the 10k bulbs, & what brand are they? I bet the clors on the corals you do have would have alot more pop under a Phoenix 14k or a 20k bulb of your brand of choice.

[Jacuzzi]

I can check parameters when I get home as I am at work. As to why I run 10k is because I wanted more coral growth and then will switch over to 14k to color them up.

[drparker]

Agree with all above. When I first started testing my Mg was really low, when I brought that up my tank took off.

[odyssey1]

I agree with the above statements and wanted to add a few more comments. First you really need to check the alk and Cal. levels you should be doing this every 4-5 days anyway if you are to maintain a good environment for your corals expecially with a smaller tank as things tend to change alot. You should keep your sal. levels the same with no fluctuation like an auto top off system this is important. The levels are not as important as keeping the same. Hope this makes sence.

Another thing is keeping your rock clean of debree and hair alge etc. Coraline Alge will not grow if the surface is not clean. I see mine grow better where my snails clean more often.

Once you see new patches start to form be patient it looks like that quarter size spot hasent grown in a while but then all of a sudden it takes off. Real Important is to keep everything stable if you can!!

Hope this helps

Jeremy

[odyssey1]

I know some people haveing success with mag. levels over 1500 and the coraline takes off even under alot of light but dont make it spike too fast. I am running 1300 with success

Jeremy

[aleaksreef713]

Maybe 12 hours is too many for the T5s, I have the same amount of light in my tank and I have that stuff everywhere.

http://www.marshreef.com/TOTM/2009/Dec09/