Live Rock Turning White

[akma]

The live rock in my tank is turning white. I am in the process of cycling it and i've started to have light purple coraline growth. But the amount of rock turning white seems to be increasing. I run my lights a couple hours a day, but I was looking for stuff online and it states the possible cause might be lack of iodine. I have calcium supplements that I pour a few drops in. Should I add iodine?

 

[Deanos]

Don't worry about coraline growth during the cycling process. It's prone to die-off during the period of unstability many new tanks experience. In regards to dosing, there's a few articles linked in this thread which should keep you busy while your tank cycles.

 

[Harif87]

Yeah, the white sounds like dead coralline algae, its really a biotch to see that since coralline growing is such a long proccess. If you want to keep the coralline from dieing off then try doing more water changes... but then again itll cost you more money in salt.. but when cycling is done with the coralline growth should increase

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

More water changes will also extend the cycle period.

 

[leoskee]

Leave your tank and rock alone. What you are experiencing is nothing out of the ordinary during cycling. Have patience and your tank will establish itself in no time!

 

[akma]

Thanks for the input. I've been doing pretty big water changes so i've decided to stop that for awhile. I guess that's why it's taking longer to cycle. Been about 3 weeks now.

 

[2Sunny]

Second that sentiment.

First off I second the sentiment of "leave it alone" for atleast the first 12 weeks, but secondly tell us some more about your system and its inhabitants and where and when you purchased the LR. My fear is that the LR was not so live after all, but I could be very wrong so lets not jump to any conclusion :smash:

Joe

 

[akma]

WEll, The only thing in my tank is aragonite sand and live rock at the moment. I am seeing some coralline growth but the white part is what's getting to me. All I have in my tank is saltwater, sand, and live rock. Been almost 3 weeks.

 

[leoskee]

PATIENCE my young grasshopper.:flower:

 

[drperetz]

...

cycling a tank is a skill

 

[basiab]

3 weeks is not a long time. And it wil take months before it is somewhat mature.

 

[daisy]

...and it may take a year before the rock is covered with purple - or several.

One of the great things about this hobby is that you set everything up, reach a happy equilibrium (hopefully) and then let things grow - which they will whether you help it or not, usually... and watch! In the eight years or so that I've had my LR, it went from white and grey and brown (depending on the type of rocks) to all covered with different colors of coralline.

It takes time - not weeks or even months, but months and years. Allow yourself to enjoy it!

 

[Seadog09]

Live rocks

At least a year my friend and thats just the begining :tired:

 

[reefman]

your white coraline may be cause by direct lighting. i find sometimes lighting that r too strong may cause white coraline. besides patience; indirect, or even partly shaded area tend to have the nicer coraline growth. strong flow is also good for coraline growth.