lighting and coralline algae

cpittmx · 12/16/2009, 07:09 AM

My tank has been up and running with live rock for about 4 months now. I am just using the lighting that I had used with my freshwater set-up. My thinking was that I could put off spending money on the better lighting until the tank was ready to start adding corals. I'm now wondering if this was a bad decision because my live rock looks really bleached out. How much has died due to inadequate lighting?

John Zillmer · 12/16/2009, 07:16 AM

Don't know -- what's the specs on the lighting? Was there CA on the rock when you got it? Did some die in the cure cycle (early on) or over time?

Coralline algae growth/maintenance has as much to do with lighting as it does with water chemistry -- stable nitrogen cycle, stable high calcium (400-450ppm), stable high KH (8-12 DKH). If these parameters are not maintained, CA will die off.

cpittmx · 12/16/2009, 09:32 AM

I honestly dont know exact specs on lighting. I know it is just two regular flourescent tubes. I'm not sure if there was any coralline on to begin with. I know it wasn't colorful, but there was some smooth white areas that looked like coralline that has lost its color and those spots are still there.

Frick-n-Frags · 12/16/2009, 09:36 AM

the strong UV from a MH lamp can bleach coralline. it does well in low light.

it also does better in a good flow. besides that, what JZ said above.....

Toddrtrex · 12/16/2009, 12:18 PM

Once the coralline adjusts to the increase in light you will have it back. I have 2*250 MH + 4*54 T5 over my 75 and the coralline in my tank grows annoyingly well.

John Zillmer · 12/16/2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

the coralline in my tank grows annoyingly well.

I wonder if there is anything that is a not plague when there is too much of it. Well, I can think of one thing, but I meant anything reef-related

12/16/2009, 07:09 AM	#1
cpittmx Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ravenna, Ohio Posts: 260	lighting and coralline algae My tank has been up and running with live rock for about 4 months now. I am just using the lighting that I had used with my freshwater set-up. My thinking was that I could put off spending money on the better lighting until the tank was ready to start adding corals. I'm now wondering if this was a bad decision because my live rock looks really bleached out. How much has died due to inadequate lighting?

12/16/2009, 07:16 AM	#2
John Zillmer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 375	Don't know -- what's the specs on the lighting? Was there CA on the rock when you got it? Did some die in the cure cycle (early on) or over time? Coralline algae growth/maintenance has as much to do with lighting as it does with water chemistry -- stable nitrogen cycle, stable high calcium (400-450ppm), stable high KH (8-12 DKH). If these parameters are not maintained, CA will die off. __________________ Maybe there isn't any such thing as normativity -- but there should be. Current Tank Info: 90 g mixed reef, 40 g 'fuge, T5HO, Simplicity 240DC

12/16/2009, 09:36 AM	#4
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	the strong UV from a MH lamp can bleach coralline. it does well in low light. it also does better in a good flow. besides that, what JZ said above..... __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

12/16/2009, 12:18 PM	#5
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Once the coralline adjusts to the increase in light you will have it back. I have 2250 MH + 454 T5 over my 75 and the coralline in my tank grows annoyingly well. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

12/16/2009, 09:32 AM	#3
cpittmx Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ravenna, Ohio Posts: 260	I honestly dont know exact specs on lighting. I know it is just two regular flourescent tubes. I'm not sure if there was any coralline on to begin with. I know it wasn't colorful, but there was some smooth white areas that looked like coralline that has lost its color and those spots are still there.