My marine saltwater live rock are turning white!!?
by Aquaboy on Saturday, July 31st, 2010 | 7 Comments
I’ve had my 55g marine tank for 4 months now. I brought my 15kg fuji live rock from someone else who had their live rock for over two years, there was no problems and looked all healthy. Two months after having them in my tank they grown loads of purple coralline which was great but recently there’s lots of white patches appearing and it’s getting worse! I always checked my water every week, pH, nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, salinity are all fine. On a weekly bases I add red sea marine trace and calcium in the tank.
I’ve one torch coral, two clown fish, one regal tang, two scarlet shrimp, 5 turbo snails, 5 scarlet hermit crabs and two emerald crabs. Two T5 lighting, a powerhead, external filter and protein skimmer.
Why are my live rock dying?!
The only possible explanation is that you rock is basically old and dead. You can’t fix that. He has been in another persons tank for 2 years! What if he sold it just to make money when it was in bad shape…sorry
I wouldn’t say that the rock is dying, however if the patches are very large then something is definitely wrong. A photo of the rock would be ideal.
No, your live rock isn’t dying. The coralline algae on it may be though. Have you checked your calcium and kH levels? You may wish to use Kalkwasser (carefully).
Here’s a question, do you have any coralline algae growing on the glass?
What kind of T5s do you have? What color temp are they? Any actinic?
Where is the rock turning white, in the shaded areas or areas under brighter light? My purple always grew best in the (slight) shade, but I have metal halides. The answers will probably tell you why.
Keep an eye on your Turbos. They will bulldoze your corals, and get caught on your power head.
live rock!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
whats a live rock?
your corraline algae is dying. the rock isn’t. i photo of the rock would definitely help, but its possible that your snails are also eating a good portion of the algae and bacteria off your rocks, revealing the rocks’ whiteish color.
It isn’t the rock but the coraline algae that is dieing or loosing its color. It could be from the lack of iodine, calcium, or overexposure to light are the most likely causes.
Iodine is what gives corals and coraline algae their vibrant color, and the calcium their calcareous structure. If you have a protein skimmer, it will remove added iodine in a short period of time, and in most cases other additives you add as well. It is important to use a time released iodine or calcium, or turn off the skimmer for a while to allow the inhabitants to absorb them. Kent Marine Iodine products, are really great since they are time released.
Red sea does make a time release but remember you will want to turn the skimmer off.
like the birdman said the coraline appears to be fading.adding calcium and elements once a week won’t cut it.also add a product called reefbuilder- seachem.it raises carbonate alkalinity,and calcium.point a powerhead at the coraline.