Saltwater Aquarium Guide -- Fast Facts

Fast Facts (page 23)

Method for Growing Coraline Faster

1.  Use a good salt mix (Instant Ocean^TM is preferred by many aquarists).
2.  Use 2 - Triton And 1 - Blue Moon 40 watt bulb per 55 gallons (Or basically more actinic lighting).
3.  Use a phosphate removing filter.
4.  Use carbon.
5.  Treat tank with Sea Chem - Reef Plus^TM. Reef Complete^TM, and Reef Calcium^TM - 2 to 3 times a week.
6.  Use Sea Chem Reef Builder^TM in make up water every other time you add make up water. (two teaspoons per gallon).
7.  Use Sea Chem Reef Advantage^TM in make up water every other time you add make up water (two teaspoons per gallon).

Finally, seed with lots of types of coralline to start the process.

Calcium is one of the most important things to add to your live rock tank. Calcium levels in your tank should be kept above 400 mg/L at a specific gravity of 1.024. By using Sea Chem's products there is no trouble keeping both the calcium and alkalinity at the proper levels for rapid coralline growth. This simple method of treating the make-up water also keeps the Strontium and Magnesium level in the aquarium high enough for the coralline algae to thrive. Other products will work fine, but these products are inexpensive and are proven to work. You must keep the phosphate level in the aquarium very low. Protein skimming is important in these aquariums because it controls phosphate. Make-up water can be a source of phosphate. You may need a reverse osmosis or deionization system if your water source is high in phosphates. Feeding is the most common source of high phosphate levels. A phosphate removing filter is used in tanks that are not producing coralline algae fast enough.

Be sure to test often just in case the system becomes unstable as you will be pushing the limits of reef water chemistry.

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