Corraline algae

[AquaSquid]

I'm amazed at the variety of Coraline algae I am getting in my 12 gal. One is an avocado green, another is the usual pink/purple, one is pink with white striations and now i have a dark velvety red popping up in several places. Checked to make sure it wasn't some weird cyano. It was definitely Coraline. Anyone else seeing this? Is it normal?

[segraves1]

HAHA....thats funny..........I can't for the life of me get any to grow in my 10 gal.....

the macros are growing nicely and just about every day I have to clean the glass of green and red micro (patches of "haze") but no coraline.........

what are your paramaters?

I'm at:

1.025 salinity
80 degrees
450ppm calicium
11KH
8.2PH
120watts of NO 50/50 light

[Sweetpea]

I have seen a lot of coralline growth over the last few months in my 10 gallon. My parameters over the past 6 months have been roughly:

temp 80-81
sg 1.024-1.025
calcium 450-475
dKH 10-11
pH 8.2-8.3

I have a little bit of the green, some red, and tons of the pink/purple! It's been exciting watching the changes!

Below are some pics for comparison...

[AquaSquid]

My parameters are:

Temp- 78
Salinity- 1.025
Nitrate- 0
Ph-8.2 -8.4
Calcium - 500-510
Phosphate >.02

I don't run a skimmer my system is almost pure Bio-filtration. I do have a Fluval 204 filled with rock rubble, one small packet of carbon and a phosban pad. My lighting is all florescent 2 18 watt coralife 50/50 white actinic fixtures and the 9 watt bulb that came with the tank cover.

[Whoyah]

The amount of magnesium in the water will also have an impact on coralline algae. Mg should be around 1400 ppm. Mg plays a part in the calcium and alkalinity relationship. I believe that Mg allows the calcium to be move easily absorbed by the organisms.

[AquaSquid]

I have not tested for magnesium, but my alkalinity has been good. I do keep my calcium level consistently over 480. I also add trace minerals 1x month I don't have the name brand at the moment.(maybe Kent).

[wpspfan]

I have a little Dark Red and Orange Algae, I think it is coraline algae

[davejnz]

Yes,I have all those different colors of corallines on my LR/tank.As for coralline growth,magnesium can play a factor but coralline has specific nutrient requirements for
rapid growth.I like the way Eric B. put it in his book "Aquarium Corals".

Low grazing-high nutrients=Microalgae growth
Low grazing-low nutrients=Macroalgae growth
High grazing-high nutrients=Coralline algae growth
High grazing-low nutrients=Coral growth