Coralline algae

I've heard coralline algae growth is a good indicator of a healthy tank. Recently I moved my tank and my salinity was rather high and some of that algae started to turn white. I have since gotten that under control and noticed that my snails were able to clean some of the white gunk off the rocks.

Well now it's happening again and my salinity is at 1.022-1.023. It's only on a couple of rocks but I'm wondering if that's a sign on something being out of whack

 

Parameters for calcium, magnesium and dkH please.

Lighting and did you change the lighting recently?

 

I've never tested those parameters. How important are they? My tanks been up for about five months and just recently started having issues with nitrates. I did however just put my lights on a timer

 

They are some of the most important, essential parameters of your water quality.

 

If you are keeping corals you really should test for ca, dkH, mg and pH pretty routinely. If you are not doing water changes it is even more important. Coralline growth does much better when ca, dkH and magnesium are in line.

What type of lighting?

 

Just regular lighting. That description probably isn't good enough but it's not T5 or MH lighting. I do not have any corals and I change out 10% every week

 

Well if you really want nice purple coralline I suggest at least PC ( power compacts) and change out the bulbs every 9 months or so.

Check your parameters as well, coralline thrives on calcium, and proper alk and magneium levels. Water changes should take care of replacing the trace elements like strontium, iodine............