Before I learned the benefits of live rock, live substrate, good light, protein skmmers, water quality, too much fish load, etc, etc, etc.....................I thought the only "cool look" for a fish only tank was with dead white hard corals and fish (looking for the sterile look you see in "cool bars" every now and then). Well, after setting up my first tank in front of a window, I soon learned what algae was, actually learned what LOTS of algae was.
Well, the only way to ensure the "cool look" was maintained, the only way to get the white hard coral "back to white" was to take it out of the tank and bleach it. I asked the local fish place if this was a good idea. He said you can do it, but be very careful - you must wash it very, very thoroughly and let it air dry in the sun, and then wash it again. This worked OK for a couple of bleachings...................luckily I didn't have any real expensive fish in the tank. I soon learned that setting up a functional eco-system is way more important than the "cool bar look", and after finally learning what live rock was all about, had no idea what I was missing......................that's what I call a rookie...................
Well, the only way to ensure the "cool look" was maintained, the only way to get the white hard coral "back to white" was to take it out of the tank and bleach it. I asked the local fish place if this was a good idea. He said you can do it, but be very careful - you must wash it very, very thoroughly and let it air dry in the sun, and then wash it again. This worked OK for a couple of bleachings...................luckily I didn't have any real expensive fish in the tank. I soon learned that setting up a functional eco-system is way more important than the "cool bar look", and after finally learning what live rock was all about, had no idea what I was missing......................that's what I call a rookie...................
Personally, I'd take a live, vicarious living ecosystem anyday over the sterile bleached look. It's not only so much more colorful, it's so much more interesting too. 
