Coralline algae dying

[rsarvis]

My new setup is toward the end of the cycling process.

 

I got 180lbs of live rock and it had some great coralline algae on it. Unfortunately, a lot of it seems to be dying, turning pale. Is this abnormal? Assuming I correct the problem, will it grow back pretty quickly?

 

Is it the lack of light? I've had problems getting the light fixture I wanted, so I haven't had any aquarium lighting over the tank. If necessary, I can use my fuge light and move that around until I can get a fixture, but that's a pain and I'll probably end up electrocuting myself.

 

Or do you think it's more likely water chemistry issues? I've been using tap water. (I know, I know, I just got a ro/di filter, I just need to set it up now)

 

Thanks.

[emissary]

My new setup is toward the end of the cycling process.

 

I got 180lbs of live rock and it had some great coralline algae on it. Unfortunately, a lot of it seems to be dying, turning pale. Is this abnormal? Assuming I correct the problem, will it grow back pretty quickly?

Don't worry about coralline. Worry about everything else, the coralline will come.

 

Is it the lack of light? I've had problems getting the light fixture I wanted, so I haven't had any aquarium lighting over the tank. If necessary, I can use my fuge light and move that around until I can get a fixture, but that's a pain and I'll probably end up electrocuting myself.

There is value in acclimating a new tank to a photoperiod before adding anything. Get your lights set up, get them on a regular schedule and let your tank fall into a rythm.

 

Or do you think it's more likely water chemistry issues? I've been using tap water. (I know, I know, I just got a ro/di filter, I just need to set it up now)

DEFINITELY use RO/DI... that and the lighting will go a long way.

[YBeNormal]

/\

 

What he said.

[Mystical Lady]

DEFINITELY use RO/DI... that and the lighting will go a long way.

 

what he ^ said too....

once I stopped using tap water and went to RO/DI water I saw a HUGE difference in my tank....

[jamesbuf]

what he ^ said too....

once I stopped using tap water and went to RO/DI water I saw a HUGE difference in my tank....

 

I gotta agree with everyone here. Completely changed how my tank looked once I switched to a RO/DI filter. A must have if you wish to be successful in this hobby.

[Lee Stearns]

coraline also dies pretty quickly when Air gets to it for even a short time. Note when you have coraline growing up the back glass and you have a power outage and the water line drops to the level of the overflow teeth- Even if the outage was for 15-20 minutes the coraline with die in that inch or so at the top of the glass- So if you transported the live rock and it was not kept damp the whole time, you may loose a lot of the coraline. What you really need is just the seed of it on the orcks- I will grow back and spread according to the light conditions. It is a fairly low user of calcium compared to many of our SPS corals, so good water changes should be more than enough to keep it healthy and growing. I know many people want to add purple up and other chemicals to give it a boost- but if you drip kalk as needed to maintain PH you will have more than enough calcium. There are several types of coraline, dark reds, pinks, green, platting. The one that is best matched to your lighting conditions is the one that will prevail and out-compete the others in your system.