Coraline Algae Dying!

[Marty123]

Hi,

I have a 55G tank with approx 70lbs of LR. After some advice from my LFS have started adding Calcium and Alk Buffer to the tank after Coraline Algae started dying. The Calcium and Alk Levels are now much better, but the Algae is still dying.

Will the Coraline come back once the water conditions have stabalised, or will I have to got some more LR?

Thanks

Marty

 

[OrionGirl]

Lighting?

 

[Marty123]

Arcadia T5 4x54W

 

[OrionGirl]

It should come back. Is the crust still in place, just bleached? This typically colors up fairly quickly in my tanks, but it may take a while if it was seriously damaged. You can help the process by scraping gently along some healthy areas--the little flakes that come off will colonize other locations, and the 'source' area will quickly regenerate.

 

[Max]

Yup use a new tooth brush and it will help spread little flakes of coraline all over the place. Garf grunge might help you out too.

 

[Mako]

It is possible, but not likely, that your magnesium is low. I've never had it happen, but corraline uses a good bit of magnesium. If you're in doubt, you can add some Epsom Salts (dirt cheap in the pharmacy section, get a small box) to the tank water (pure magnesium sulfate). I can't say how much to add, though. Some google research should help out if you want to try it.