150 gal corner build *Long overdue update*

Looking for insight on corailline algae growth. My tank has been running for about 9 months now with no visible corailline. I've had a large rock from the LFS in the DT for about 3 months to act as seed. Prior to that, there was some corailline that would come in on frag plugs. In the last 3-4 weeks, I have started seeing some small circles on the back wall, but I can't tell if they're purple or not (the back of my tank is blue, so hard to tell if they're purple or white).

Here are my params...

SG - 1.026
Ca - 490 ppm
Mg - 1480 ppm
Alk - 10-11 dKH
pH - 7.8-8.0 (API kit and I can't tell the difference very well. Need to get a meter)
Phos - 0-0.25 (again, can't tell the diff with API kit. Salifert kit on the way)
Temp - 79-80 deg F
RO/DI make-up (test each run to verify reading 0-1 conductivity)

I run T5's with a mix of DD Actinic+ and Aquablue+. I have new bulbs on the way and will be switching some of the Actinic+ to the ATI Blue+ and swapping out one Aquablue+ for a Purple Plus.

I have a refugium with Chaeto. Some growth here, but not monumental. Overall, the tank substrate is pretty clean with a couple of small patches of cyano in low flow areas. I also have a few diatoms lately, but I think it's from the replacement of all my sump tubing two weeks ago.

Thanks for any help!

 

HOW DID I MISS THIS THREAD!?!?

Ok anyways, congrats on the nice setup! I always liked open space and you did a great job on the scape.

As far as the coralline goes, I think its about a balance. The big three params, as well as the nutrients. In my case, when I had the old 29, it was everywhere, but ugly green. Upgraded to 90, didnt come for a long time. Started biopellets, as soon as they kicked in, boooom, purple everywhere.

How are the newer SPSs doing?

 

You need to give it more time. My tanks grow crazy coralline, but it takes about a year for it to show up on base rock. Then when it gets a foothold, it spreads like crazy. T5s and PC grow it best. Halides are just too bright for it to "take off", in most cases. I have not seen it grow in any of my tanks with LEDs.

All these tanks are lower light because they are FOWLR, which shows coralline isn't too picky about it's environment and tank parameters. I buffer my RO/DI top off water, though, as fish get a lot of their minerals from the surrounding water.

 

;D; this thread started and then took the summer off for mountain biking. You probably missed it during the summer break.

Thanks on the scape. I'm adding a little more base rock to give it "depth", but it will still be an open scape.

The spongodes and pistillata are doing GREAT! The spongodes already seems to be encrusting some and the pistillata has great polyp extension. Almost looks furry. I'll try to get some new pics today. The hystrix is doing OK, but has not overcome the necrosis at its base (think it had it from day one and I didn't recognize it at the LFS (my first SPS and didn't know what to look for)). I just got in some Coral Rx and will do a dip in the next day or two as well.

Thanks for the feedback and interesting observation on the light sources. Sounds like I need a little more patience, which is always a problem for me.

 

I have seen decent coralline growth in both of my LED lit tanks. Both are on the weak side as far as LED goes though.

 

I always hated people who told me i was lucky to not have coraline growth. I'm telling you that alot of coralline throws off your Cal and Alk FAST. Plus it gets all over the glass and becomes a disaster lol.

Mine took off when I brought up my Magnesium

 

LoL! I have wondered what it's going to be like trying to keep that acrylic both clean and "scratch free" if it ever does take off. Maybe this should go under the "ignorance is bliss" category.

 

cringe!

 

I have some growing on the back wall and power-heads of my LED lit tank, but it's not very thick in growth or rich in color (see picture). My tank has been set up for about 9 months too, but I don't have any on my rocks.

 

My tank has radions that are killing SPS with intensity but my coraline is.... rampant. It got about 3 times worse than this in 3 weeks.



Ignorance IS bliss. I do have many varied species on my rock and in low light areas thats cool though, so I can't be too grumpy.