coralline algae

[hippocrazy]

I've been trying very hard to get my coralline algae to grow by dripping kalk for topoff water.Its spreading like crazy but it seems to be all lime green color,I cant figure it out.Everyone i know has purple and pink all over the glass.If you guys know something I dont please fill me in.

 

[SeaView]

Hippo,

In order to get a good variety of coraline algaes to grow you need to introduce those algaes into tank. This is achieved by adding LR with different speices of algae growing on them. Many forms take a while become established in the tank and their rate of growth and success also depends on other factors such as lighting, and available nutrients. What is your Ca reading?

I have many different colors and forms in my tank but no lime green coralines and I would hazzard to guess that these may be diatoms and not true coraline algae.

Be patient, in time you will be cursing the stuff that needs to be scraped off the front glass of your tank.

Steve

[ January 01, 2002: Message edited by: SeaView ]</p>

 

[esmithiii]

Hippo,

I experienced the same thing, but soon the pink and purple outpaced the green. If the grow in small circles that expand outward (looks like little splotches at first) then it is corraline.

Lighting also affects the growth of corraline. What kind of lighting do you have?

E

 

[hippocrazy]

thanks for the replys.MY calcium level is always around 400ppm or so.I have pc lighting on a 55g.It is the round little hard disc but they are lime green in color.My rock has some purple and pink on them but the back glass is all green.

 

[esmithiii]

Sounds like corraline. How many bulbs, what wattage and color of each bulb?


E

 

[hippocrazy]

I just have two 65 watt smartlites right now but upgrading soon

 

[esmithiii]

Give it time. Those bulbs are optimum (IME) for coraline growth. Give it time and the pink and purple will take over.

Ernie

 

[hippocrazy]

Thanks

 

[Leopardshark]

Let the green coralline growna and you´ll see that after some time purple and pink will cover the green.
Green coralline is good too. So don´t worry

 

[esmithiii]

BTW- Coraline algae is simply an indicator of decent water condition, and is not necessary for good tank health. Coraline algae adds little benefit to the tank health in and of itself.

Ernie