what would kill coraline alge?

fast57 · 08/10/2006, 02:44 PM

I have had coraline start to grow on my glass and was happy that everything seemed to be going ok, but recently I've noticed that some of it has stopped growing and is now turning white. All the live rock that I have is covered in coraline because thats the way I bought it, but a couple of the rocks are getting white spots also. I add all the right stuff calcium,iodine coral excel and so on. Also, I dont know if this would be tied in or not but my xenias (not sure of this kind) have recently stopped pulsing. I have pom pom xenia's that are pulsing like mad but the other ones arent. Please give me some ideas on what to look for.

sir_dudeguy · 08/10/2006, 02:57 PM

light or calcium. what is the calcium at? what type of lighting do you have?

fast57 · 08/10/2006, 03:06 PM

I dont have test for calcium yet, and my lightinh is a coralife 96w x 2 with leds. The tanks been up and running strong for about 3 months now. I havent changed anything since I started. A buddy of mine has instructed me on how to add everything but he's on vacation right now.

sir_dudeguy · 08/10/2006, 03:09 PM

my bet is the calcium...theres also one other element, but i cant think of the name offhand..i'd know it if i heard it..but i think its mostly calcium. get those tested to see what its at. also what syze tank is it? that lighting may or may not be the cause of it bleaching depending on what size the tank is...

also, the coraline could have started dieing 3 months ago, not just now...

Spuds725 · 08/10/2006, 03:33 PM

Check calcium and alk-- both are needed.... and are very inter related-- don't supplement calcium or alkalkinity without testing for both--

coraline will also do that if you drained the tank down for a while and it had time to dry out and die

sir_dudeguy · 08/10/2006, 03:44 PM

ya thats the one.

also, dont use that stuff called purple up...it has too many other things in it, and all you need is proper levels in calcium and alk, and then lighting.

fast57 · 08/10/2006, 04:11 PM

well according to some quick dip test strips I have my alk. is good. Can you recommened a good calcium tester? The tank is a 45 gallon. Would pouring freshwater with out salt in it in order to top off the tank do it?

fast57 · 08/10/2006, 10:54 PM

bump?

kau_cinta_ku · 08/10/2006, 11:46 PM

you need better test kits like salifert to give us accurate numbers and not just good or bad. you would be surprised how off those dip test strips are. salifert is also good for testing everything else along with calcium.

if you mean topping off your evaporated water with fresh water killed the coraline then no as that is what you should be doing.

i also noticed your adding iodine. are you testing for it before you add it to know how much to add?
never add anything to your tank unless your testing for it. overdosing will do much more harm than not dosing at all. but make sure you have good quality test kits (salifert) to test with

sir_dudeguy · 08/10/2006, 11:49 PM

that is how you top off a tank yes..you should never pour saltwater in...that will only raise the sg continuosly. but that has nothing to do w/the calcium levels. And i seriously suggest getting the alk re tested...those test strips are crap imo...they could be way off. And what salt are you using?

Mrs.kbmdale · 08/10/2006, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kau_cinta_ku
..... i also noticed your adding iodine. are you testing for it before you add it to know how much to add?
never add anything to your tank unless your testing for it. overdosing will do much more harm than not dosing at all. but make sure you have good quality test kits (salifert) to test with

That is a "rule", a very good one, so stick to it!

Salifert test kits are great, you'll need one for magnesium, calcium and alkalinity. The "3" of these things go hand in hand in hand

Here are some links to some of Randy Holmes-Farley's articles:
Reef Aquarium Water Parameters:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
A Simplified Guide to the relationship between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php
What your Grandmother never told you about lime:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php
DIY 2 Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
DIY Magnesium Supplement:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php
And a little more info on Kalkwasser:
http://www.reefscapes.net/articles/b...alkwasser.html

Good Luck and Happy Reefing!
Brianna

TekCat · 08/11/2006, 02:15 AM

Another thing might be killing coralline is high water temperature.

fast57 · 08/11/2006, 03:35 PM

The test kit that I use is the saltwater master test kit with. I just use the strips every once in a while. How do I test for iodine? Where can I get the tests for calcium, iodine or mag.?

seattlerob · 08/11/2006, 03:49 PM

Salifert makes a test kit for iodine as well, but I've been told by a number of people not to waste my money on iodine test kits. The reason being that iodine is quickly absorbed by living things (i.e. fish & coral) and does not remain in the water column. Thus, testing the water ends up showing very little iodine. From what I understand, when you dose iodine, it gets absorbed into things living and then at some point there is too much iodine & things start to OD.

The same folks that recommended me not to waste my money on the iodine test kit also strongly recommended I don't dose iodine at all. These folks also indicated that xenia can be used as a pretty good gauge as to whether iodine is too low. I guess they stop pulsing in those cases.

Anyways, based on the advice I've received, I've stopped dosing iodine all together and just rely on my water changes to replenish it. I check my xenias still...just in case they stop pulsing!

As far as getting the test kits, pretty much all the online retailers sell them, such as marinedepot.com or premiumaquatics.com.

HTH,
Rob

PatMayo · 08/11/2006, 07:52 PM

FWIW, I use Salifert test kits. They seem to be the most accurate and simplest to use.

I only test and add for the following. Calcium, Alklinity, Magnesium and Ph. I use a meter to test for PH. I have coralline out the ying yang. It's important to have those chemicals at the correct level if you have corals and want coralline algae.

But there is a sinister side to coralline and I will share that with you. I have coralline coming out the kazoo and only 2 plate corals, 3 frogspawn and some mushrooms. But, I have to add very large amounts of calcium and alklinity to maintain that growth. In addition to dosing saturated kalkwasser 24/7 I also dose Randys 2 part each day. I add 120 ml of alkalinity and 120 ml of calcium. It's a lot of work to keep it growing. In addition I have to clean the glass quite frequently.

So my point is be careful what you wish for. (Someone told me this same thing a few months ago.)

I agree with the other and would not add any idodine or any other chemicals.

Regards,

Pat

08/10/2006, 02:44 PM	#1
fast57 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: southside of chicago Posts: 667	what would kill coraline alge? I have had coraline start to grow on my glass and was happy that everything seemed to be going ok, but recently I've noticed that some of it has stopped growing and is now turning white. All the live rock that I have is covered in coraline because thats the way I bought it, but a couple of the rocks are getting white spots also. I add all the right stuff calcium,iodine coral excel and so on. Also, I dont know if this would be tied in or not but my xenias (not sure of this kind) have recently stopped pulsing. I have pom pom xenia's that are pulsing like mad but the other ones arent. Please give me some ideas on what to look for.

08/10/2006, 02:57 PM	#2
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	light or calcium. what is the calcium at? what type of lighting do you have? __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

08/10/2006, 03:09 PM	#4
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	my bet is the calcium...theres also one other element, but i cant think of the name offhand..i'd know it if i heard it..but i think its mostly calcium. get those tested to see what its at. also what syze tank is it? that lighting may or may not be the cause of it bleaching depending on what size the tank is... also, the coraline could have started dieing 3 months ago, not just now... __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

08/10/2006, 03:33 PM	#5
Spuds725 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toledo, Ohio USA Posts: 2,051	Check calcium and alk-- both are needed.... and are very inter related-- don't supplement calcium or alkalkinity without testing for both-- coraline will also do that if you drained the tank down for a while and it had time to dry out and die __________________ "I only have time to neglect one tank"-- Me "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work, I want to achieve immortality by not dying"-- Woody Allen Current Tank Info: 125G mixed reef with 135G Sump

08/10/2006, 03:44 PM	#6
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	ya thats the one. also, dont use that stuff called purple up...it has too many other things in it, and all you need is proper levels in calcium and alk, and then lighting. __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

08/10/2006, 03:06 PM	#3
fast57 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: southside of chicago Posts: 667	I dont have test for calcium yet, and my lightinh is a coralife 96w x 2 with leds. The tanks been up and running strong for about 3 months now. I havent changed anything since I started. A buddy of mine has instructed me on how to add everything but he's on vacation right now.

08/10/2006, 04:11 PM	#7
fast57 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: southside of chicago Posts: 667	well according to some quick dip test strips I have my alk. is good. Can you recommened a good calcium tester? The tank is a 45 gallon. Would pouring freshwater with out salt in it in order to top off the tank do it?

08/10/2006, 10:54 PM	#8
fast57 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: southside of chicago Posts: 667	bump?

08/10/2006, 11:46 PM	#9
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	you need better test kits like salifert to give us accurate numbers and not just good or bad. you would be surprised how off those dip test strips are. salifert is also good for testing everything else along with calcium. if you mean topping off your evaporated water with fresh water killed the coraline then no as that is what you should be doing. i also noticed your adding iodine. are you testing for it before you add it to know how much to add? never add anything to your tank unless your testing for it. overdosing will do much more harm than not dosing at all. but make sure you have good quality test kits (salifert) to test with

08/10/2006, 11:49 PM	#10
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	that is how you top off a tank yes..you should never pour saltwater in...that will only raise the sg continuosly. but that has nothing to do w/the calcium levels. And i seriously suggest getting the alk re tested...those test strips are crap imo...they could be way off. And what salt are you using? __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

08/11/2006, 02:15 AM	#12
TekCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MN Posts: 3,130	Another thing might be killing coralline is high water temperature.

08/11/2006, 03:35 PM	#13
fast57 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: southside of chicago Posts: 667	The test kit that I use is the saltwater master test kit with. I just use the strips every once in a while. How do I test for iodine? Where can I get the tests for calcium, iodine or mag.?

08/11/2006, 03:49 PM	#14
seattlerob Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 464	Salifert makes a test kit for iodine as well, but I've been told by a number of people not to waste my money on iodine test kits. The reason being that iodine is quickly absorbed by living things (i.e. fish & coral) and does not remain in the water column. Thus, testing the water ends up showing very little iodine. From what I understand, when you dose iodine, it gets absorbed into things living and then at some point there is too much iodine & things start to OD. The same folks that recommended me not to waste my money on the iodine test kit also strongly recommended I don't dose iodine at all. These folks also indicated that xenia can be used as a pretty good gauge as to whether iodine is too low. I guess they stop pulsing in those cases. Anyways, based on the advice I've received, I've stopped dosing iodine all together and just rely on my water changes to replenish it. I check my xenias still...just in case they stop pulsing! As far as getting the test kits, pretty much all the online retailers sell them, such as marinedepot.com or premiumaquatics.com. HTH, Rob

08/11/2006, 07:52 PM	#15
PatMayo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,843	FWIW, I use Salifert test kits. They seem to be the most accurate and simplest to use. I only test and add for the following. Calcium, Alklinity, Magnesium and Ph. I use a meter to test for PH. I have coralline out the ying yang. It's important to have those chemicals at the correct level if you have corals and want coralline algae. But there is a sinister side to coralline and I will share that with you. I have coralline coming out the kazoo and only 2 plate corals, 3 frogspawn and some mushrooms. But, I have to add very large amounts of calcium and alklinity to maintain that growth. In addition to dosing saturated kalkwasser 24/7 I also dose Randys 2 part each day. I add 120 ml of alkalinity and 120 ml of calcium. It's a lot of work to keep it growing. In addition I have to clean the glass quite frequently. So my point is be careful what you wish for. (Someone told me this same thing a few months ago.) I agree with the other and would not add any idodine or any other chemicals. Regards, Pat __________________ 90 AGA Megaflow (Setup 1-24-06) 120 Lbs. Liverock EuroReef RS 100 Skimmer 2 X 150 MH 2 X 96 watt PC Actinic 2 Clarki Clowns (31 months old) 1 Niger Trigger (Owned 6 months) 2 Tunze 6055 PH Current Tank Info: 90 AGA Megaflow To Be Mixed Reef