coraline growth (1 Viewer)

[DonnieKim]

What would be good to add for optimum coraline growth?
I have virtually no coraline growth.
I think one reason is because of my lights, or lack there of!
I'm currently running NO. :?

 

[Guest]

Add calcium, also there is something else that makes it grow crazy but for some reason I cant think of it right now.
Michael

 

[DonnieKim]

I have been adding Kents Liquid calcium. in fact it had gotten too high in calcium. I am in the process of bringing it down and pH up.

 

[ShaneV]

Also test your magnesium levels.

 

[DonnieKim]

I haven't added magnesium would it come in the H20 or salt mix?

 

[ShaneV]

Some salt mixes are low on magnesium. IMO I wouldnt add ANYTHING to my tank that you dont test for. There cheap test kits for magnesium.

 

[DonnieKim]

so what are you telling me?
where should my magnesium levels be?
I don't add magnesium either!

 

[ShaneV]

You may not need to add magnesium, it is included in salt, but some salts are low.

Coralline growth is best at a magnesium concentration of 1400 mg/l Magnesium can be the cause for stunned growth if all the other parameters check out fine.

I would test your magnesium levels and see if they are ok.

 

[DonnieKim]

Thanks ShaneV,,,,,,,,,that's good to know! Gonna get a test kit for magnesium this weekend! Do you think my lights are strong enough for the coraline to grow?

I heard that aragamilk would be good for coraline growth, is this true?

 

[Guest]

I use Ca +3 and my tank is covered in it.

 

[BrianPlankis]

I think NO bulbs would be weak for coraline growth, especially if you have a deep tank. Probably enough to maintain what you have, but I would think switching to VHO or at least PC would improve your chances for new growth.

First tank I had was NO, not much coraline growth, then I switched to PC and the growth took off. But I also started taking care of the tank better too, so not sure it was the lights.

 

[DonnieKim]

What is Ca + 3?
It's a 55 rectangle
I'm looking for some PCs cheap

 

[Guest]

I have a SmartLite PC hood...it's the length of a 30 gal aquarium. The bulbs were used just at a year. I'll have to check and get back with you on the specfics. PM me if you're interested.

 

[Guest]

i have the regular pc lights that came with my aquarium.
Aragamilk has worked very well for me. My LFS told me that it is about 10 times more potent than the Kent Liquid Calcium. Notice when you pick up a bottle of Aragamilk, the bottom of the bottle feels like solid rock.

 

[Guest]

CA reactor and strong VHO's

 

[Guest]

I had really nice corralline growth with a compact PC along with dosing Calcium a few times a week.

(note the few rocks that don't have corraline were newly introduced)

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/856661/30gal_FullShot_small.jpg

 

[DonnieKim]

Very nice looking tank Allyson!

 

[Guest]

Ca + 3 is a calcium plus other supplements. My JEBO has 2 T-5 and the coraline is every where. I put some homemade LR in there and its covered. my 20L has the same lighting and it starting to get covered.

 

[BrianPlankis]

hey leaffish,

Do you have a picture of your tank? I would like to see your homemade LR

B.

 

[Cakepro]

You can also seed your tank by scraping coralline with a razor blade. One of the most effective things that I've ever had in my tank that caused a coralline explosion was a pink decorator urchin. He ate coralline, but just tiny amounts, and his constant rasping at the coralline constantly seeded the tank with it. Now I have to scrape it off my front glass every two weeks. I've never tested for magnesium but I do keep my calcium in the high 400's.

~ Sherri