[unclejed]

Hello everyone, I have seen many tanks in forums and inevitably a lot of of them have a considerable amount of Coraline growing on the overflow and back glass. I am not really sure if I like that look or not, but, out of curiosity my tank that was set up 8 mos. ago doesn't have any in those places. I see some in the overflow and my rock has a good covering of red, purple and green but none on the back glass or on the overflow. Anyone have an idea as to why not? My calc. is 420 and mag. is 1300.

[dinor2]

What is your Alkalinity at? Your calcium and magnesium levels sound great but if your alk is low (like mine is a little!), your algae and other critters that need calcium won't be able to use it the way they need to. Alk level should stay somewhere between 3 and 5. If it's low, bringing that up should give you more coraline but give it time as well. My set up is only 8 months old as well and I have only in the last month have seen an increase in my coralline.

Let us know the alk number! Also, checking the ph may be good as well as that can affect overall algae growth.

[unclejed]

I forgot to post the alk. it's at 10-11dkh.

[e_baer]

Time.....thats all it needs. You can check the RB library for some info about how to help it spread, I gave a few links that were really great.

[JackedupSOB]

Thats wierd in the few tanks I set up the glass was one of the first places my tank got coaline algae. But that could also be because sometimes I get lazy and don't clean the glass as often as I should.

[dinor2]

You can also scrape some in the water and it should help it get going too, but again, Elliot's right, time is it.

[pogodzib]

Keeping your alk, calcium, magnesium, and pH all up all that it takes for coralline to thrive. Obviously, your tank needs to have coralline spores in it to start in order to get growing, but since you have it on your rock, it will eventually grow into the glass. Usually, coralline will grow the fastest on plastic, followed by glass, and then rocks. Some of the reasons why coralline tends to grow slower on rocks is because many people have hermit crabs, which eat coralline off the rocks. How fast the coralline takes over and thrives is anyone's guess. In some tanks, like my current setup, coralline can cover the whole back and side glass within a month or two. In other tanks, like my previous tank, it can take several months, or longer.