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~ What Causes Coraline Algae To Disappear? ~
by Eric V. Van Der Hope
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This article may be republished in printed newsletters, electronically or on web sites
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What Causes Coraline Algae To Disappear?
by Eric V. Van Der Hope
Copyright © 2005 ReefKeepingBasics.com
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The disappearing of coraline algae can be attributed to
several
factors . . .
Here are some of these factors which will be explained in
more
detail throughout
this article:
Water, Magnesium, Calcium, alkalinity, lighting, strontium,
salt, kalkwasser and
a variety of other things.
The first thing that's conjured up in one's mind when they
hear
of algae - is the
undesirable kind! The stuff that 'takes
over' our
tanks!
However, coraline algae or macroalgae, is an attractive yet
delicate species that
is very useful in dissolving organic
wastes
within the tank and is also part of food
for a variety of
little
critters.
This form of algae is a very desirable and provides an
important part of your
tank
environment.
There are many types of algae - some good - some bad. They
all have different
functions within the closed tank
environment
as they do in the enormous oceans
of the earth.
The simplest way I've grown to appreciate algae is that it's
an
excellent indicator
of how 'sound' your mini ocean
environment
is doing.
For the most part, there are just a few simple elements that can
contribute to good
algae - your water, the artificial light
that
functions as a substitute for the sun and
the nutrients
within
your tank.
The coralline algae is an encrusting, colorful display of
reddish
purple material on
the various rock introduced into the
tank. It
provides a very eye-pleasing display
that is a natural occurrence
in the real ocean and provides the same kind of benefits
such
as being an excellent food source for a variety of fish and
invertebrate.
There however, other elements that can contribute to
the growth or disappearance
of this beneficial algae.
It's important to make sure that the water, magnesium,
calcium
and alkinity are
all in check within the tank system. If
tank parameters
do not meet up to less than
ideal conditions, the chances
that the
coralline algae will decline increases which
could also
result in
certain species that are undesirable within the tank system.
Your lighting has an effect on the growth of your coraline
algae.
Too much light can
be a hindrance and actually promote other
undesirable species. The lack of light
could substantially
prevent
further growth of the coraline algae. As this can be a
source of
food for some inhabitants of the tank - a noticeable
disappearance
of this
algae will occur.
Strontium levels within the system is also important. There
should
be traces of it
in your tank. Strontium can be found as an
additive
in a variety of things - most
important - in salt mixtures.
Oceanic
salt appears to not have Strontium in it and
as a result,
individuals
have seen a major difference when they switched to a brand
that
has Strontium as an ingredient.
Dosing the tank environment with kalkwasser can help the
stability
of your system
but if not maintained at adequate or stable
levels,
will affect the growth of the
coralline algae.
A good way of introducing coralline algae into the tank is
through
the introduction
of premium live rock which 99% of the time
will
have a good amount of coraline
algae. Different types of
coralline algae will be introduced as a variety of colors will
be
evident. The algae will appear in shades of pink, dark purple, red, green
and
the like.
If the tank environment can be kept in a stable condition,
then
the chances of
preventing coralline algae from disappearing
will
increase.
Here's a 'wrap-up' of what should be carefully monitored by
the
aquarist:
1. Maintain as stable an environment as you can making sure
levels of magnesium,
calcium, strontium, alkinity,
kalkwasser
and other trace elements do not alter
drastically.
2. Adequate lighting - it has to be balanced, of high
quality
and should be "on" for
the right amount of time.
3. Introduce healthy 'live' rock that has good coralline
growth.
This will encourage
further growth of this beneficial algae.
4. Maintain a balanced yet adequate nutrient levels within
the
tank. Getting the right
balance and being moderate will be
the
key to success.
Something that can often be neglected is the abundance of
'algae eaters'. Keeping
these fish and invertebrate in check
will limit the disappearance of the coraline algae
as well.
Algae can have a proper place within the tank environment.
It depends on how well
balanced the tank environment is. As
a result, this will ultimately determine the
aquarist's
success
within this hobby.
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Eric V. Van Der Hope is the Publisher and Author of "The
Reef & Saltwater Fish Keeping
Cheat Sheet" - A Newsletter For The Serious Reef Keeping &
Saltwater Fish Hobbyist.
Would You Like to Discover Exactly How to Build A Perfect
Aquatic Life Environment For
Your Marine Fish Pets . . . Without Having to Do It the Hard
Way! Then sign up to his
complimentary newsletter valued at $79. The latest project
he is working on is a book
entitled: "Reef Keeping Basics - Successful Reef
Management". Further information:
http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com or
http://www.reefkeepingbasics.com/Forum
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