Alge not growing
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Reef Chemistry
Forum Description: A place to discuss reef chemistry.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=57246
Printed Date: September 19 2025 at 7:26am
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Topic: Alge not growing
Posted By: sillyfrag
Subject: Alge not growing
Date Posted: June 18 2012 at 7:41pm
| I moved an older tank about four months ago. I have two three foot t5s and a 250 mh that I run about 14 hours or more a day. It is a 125 gallon tank. What do I need to test and fix to see more alge growth? Nitrates are pretty high but everything else looks good. |
Replies:
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: June 18 2012 at 11:56pm
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You must be speaking of Coralline Algae. Are there coral and fish in this tank? May we see a pic? Well, the four most important water parameters we test for are Temperature, Salinity, Alkalinity and Calcium. When it comes to Coralline Algae, we can add Magnesium to that list. If these are not within proper range everything else is almost unimportant . And if these are within range and with a good base for biofiltration, everything else will eventually balance out to where it should be. How high are the Nitrates? (up to 40 ppm is acceptable) After 4 months I wouldn't expect to see high Nitrates so something else may not be so good with tank. Temp = ? (best range is 70-80 degrees) Salinity = ? (1.022- 1.026) If you don't have test kits take the water to your nearest LFS to test for: Alk = ? (8-14 dKH) Ca = ? (350-500 ppm) Mg = ? (1200-1400 ppm) Oh and give us the numbers, not just that they are "good" or "bad". And if the levels aren't within range, you don't need to buy anything at the LFS. We can show you how to use common household products to increase the levels.  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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