Live Rock turning white

GoldenFish · 04/25/2006, 09:01 AM

I have a 5 gallon Nano. LR and LS. It's 1 month old and has cycled properly. The clean up crew has been added, 5 hermit crabs (blue legged) and 1 snail. Everything has been going well so far. I did a 20% water change yesterday but this morning I noticed these little white spots on the LR. Is this normal or is it a sign my rock is dying? Everything seems to test out OK. PH 8.2, nitrates/trites 0. The temp has been a bit warm but it hasn't fluctuated from 82. Any help will be appreciated.

Gina

bjonesjr1 · 04/25/2006, 09:38 AM

I just noticed alittle white forming on my LR today too, but around that its turning purple, I think it the start of Coraline growing on the rock ??? If not then I'm in not sure

Reef_|<eeper · 04/25/2006, 09:45 AM

I have one spot on mine too that I have noticed... not all that large though, I just happen to be looking closely trying to see if I could find any life on it. I have purple algae around mine as well. Just curious on what it is.

rustybucket145 · 04/25/2006, 10:05 AM

When coraline algae grows it's growing edges will be white and then fade back to purple toward the older growth.

AdidaKev · 04/25/2006, 10:12 AM

Doesn't sound like a huge problem. Keep up with the water changes and maintenance and everything should be fine.

By the way,

To Reef Central

tehon3299 · 04/25/2006, 10:13 AM

I also noticed in the last few days that my LR is turning very white. Tank will have been cycling 4 weeks tomorrow. Hopefully this is the start of coraline algae!

GoldenFish · 04/25/2006, 11:48 AM

Thanks much for the replies. And thanks Rachel for the welcome.

Gina

sttroyiii · 04/25/2006, 01:32 PM

Both times I have started a tank, the coralline bleaches white at first. Then it gradually comes back. I think the cycling kills it back. If you are talking about tiny dots, and not areas, you might want to look up pictures of spirorbid worms. They are about as big as a pinhead, give or take.

No Worries1979 · 04/25/2006, 03:23 PM

I had the same experience when starting my tank. The die-off won't last long. No worries

Mike and Tori · 04/25/2006, 09:41 PM

I agree white before it's right!

04/25/2006, 09:01 AM	#1
GoldenFish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3	Live Rock turning white I have a 5 gallon Nano. LR and LS. It's 1 month old and has cycled properly. The clean up crew has been added, 5 hermit crabs (blue legged) and 1 snail. Everything has been going well so far. I did a 20% water change yesterday but this morning I noticed these little white spots on the LR. Is this normal or is it a sign my rock is dying? Everything seems to test out OK. PH 8.2, nitrates/trites 0. The temp has been a bit warm but it hasn't fluctuated from 82. Any help will be appreciated. Gina

04/25/2006, 09:38 AM	#2
bjonesjr1 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 1,258	I just noticed alittle white forming on my LR today too, but around that its turning purple, I think it the start of Coraline growing on the rock ??? If not then I'm in not sure __________________ Bobby Current Tank Info: 75gal, LifeReef CLF1 Sump & SVS2-24 Skimmer

04/25/2006, 10:05 AM	#4
rustybucket145 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: valdosta, ga Posts: 3,707	When coraline algae grows it's growing edges will be white and then fade back to purple toward the older growth. __________________ 400gals of various tanks in the same system. Current Tank Info: 2 175w MH, 2 VH0 Actinics, Lots of Live Rock, tons of copepods, a Fat Mandarin Goby, Niger Trigger, Yellow Tang, Falco Hawkfish, Bi-Color Pseudo, numerous soft, SPS and LPS Corals

04/25/2006, 10:12 AM	#5
AdidaKev Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NA Posts: 624	Doesn't sound like a huge problem. Keep up with the water changes and maintenance and everything should be fine. By the way, *To Reef Central* __________________ ... Current Tank Info: NA

04/25/2006, 10:13 AM	#6
tehon3299 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 268	I also noticed in the last few days that my LR is turning very white. Tank will have been cycling 4 weeks tomorrow. Hopefully this is the start of coraline algae! __________________ +90g AGA Megaflow +30g Custom Sump +100lbs Live Rock +ASM G3 Skimmer

04/25/2006, 09:45 AM	#3
Reef_\|<eeper Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 148	I have one spot on mine too that I have noticed... not all that large though, I just happen to be looking closely trying to see if I could find any life on it. I have purple algae around mine as well. Just curious on what it is.

04/25/2006, 11:48 AM	#7
GoldenFish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3	Thanks much for the replies. And thanks Rachel for the welcome. Gina

04/25/2006, 01:32 PM	#8
sttroyiii Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 378	Both times I have started a tank, the coralline bleaches white at first. Then it gradually comes back. I think the cycling kills it back. If you are talking about tiny dots, and not areas, you might want to look up pictures of spirorbid worms. They are about as big as a pinhead, give or take.

04/25/2006, 03:23 PM	#9
No Worries1979 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 281	I had the same experience when starting my tank. The die-off won't last long. No worries __________________ "You don't know unless you go" Current Tank Info: 90 gal reef, 50 gal reef

04/25/2006, 09:41 PM	#10
Mike and Tori Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 50	I agree white before it's right!