coraline algae health as an indicator of a tanks ability to sustain hard corals

[jas]

Well a week and a half ago I started to put this idea to the test. My params had been stable since almost day one, but the two patches of coraline had not started to grow until about two weeks ago. So I got my first sps frag for this tank, the tank is not two months running so I took a risk but yesterday my monti frag has shown new growth. So what does this prove...not much. : b

[PaulM]

I have loads of coraline algae but I wouldn't suspect I'd have much luck growing sps under stock boyu lighting and have been advised to this effect by lfs.

[jas]

SPS CORAL PROPAGATION DETAILS
If you read the paragraph under the 2nd image, this coral farm explains how they use new corraline growth as an indicator. It doesn't mean its 100% right, but maybe a little more proof pointing in that direction.

[codswollop]

From what I have read there are a large amount of differing types of coraline, some liking low lighting levels and others preferring high lighting levels(some even preferring some shade I believe). So if you had a type that prefers little light and was thriving, you would be wrong to presume your tank would sustain a coral that needs high levels of light by the presence of coraline alone.

[jas]

Thats true, except I was refering to the tanks maturity chemistry and micro-organism wise. Lights are interchangable within moments but nothing can instantly make the chemistry and micro fauna evolve to where it needs to be to support delicate calcifying hard corals.

[trout]

I voted no.

[MinerWilly]

I think people stock their tanks totally arse about face and if they want to keep sps they should go in before anything else apart from cuc.

[bonsaisuper]

Personally I would say if you have it growing then yea it's a good indicator that your tanks going on the right tracks but it doesent actually grow in every tank, I no of plenty of tanks with Lps/sps and no coriline growing ?? And let's be honest corals have a mind of there own and need loads of different things to keep alive, I don't think age of tank is actually relevant obv you hve to let the tank cycle but as long as they have the right light, and supplements there's no reason y the coral wouldn't survive. so for me it depends on all different factors I don't think coralline alone would be a good indicator otherwise test kits would be a waist of time

[Clearwater]

I voted yes

Coraline needs light, decent levels of Mg Ca and dKH to form

Its an indicator, as we all know it isn't that easy but indicates the aquarium is on the right track

[barracuda]

I voted yes too, always known it to be tank is on track.