Why is my live rock so dark?

[KingMinnow]

Can you guys advise me on something?
I just put about 30 lbs of new live rock into my tank about 3 weeks ago. (after curing for 1 week)

The existing live rock that have been under my lights for a couple of months are borderline black!! They look mostly red up close, but they are VERY VERY dark, compared to the white coral color of the new rocks. I'm pretty sure its because of something growing on them under the lights.

Should I be worried? Do I want them to be dark, or do I need to treat the water with something to clear them off?

Here's the pics:
http://netsolutionsgroup.org/nickcarper/fish/

Thanks,
Nick

[Samper]

The more life that accumulates on it the darker it will get. It's almost an eyesore to add a new piece cause it just doesn't look right but given time you won't even notice.

[Reefland]

What Samper is saying is that it is normal and everything is fine.

[KingMinnow]

Cool, how do I get the corraline algae to grow on them? Is there a starter pack or do I just wait and see?

nick

What Samper is saying is that it is normal and everything is fine.

[Reefland]

Just give it time, I would suspect you'll start seeing coverage in 3-4 weeks. Make sure that your calcium and alkalinity are both in good shape and it will come.

[NoSump]

Just give it time, I would suspect you'll start seeing coverage in 3-4 weeks. Make sure that your calcium and alkalinity are both in good shape and it will come.

Scott:

I noticed from the pictures that this poster has some green algae growing on his rock. I have the same situation, only more so. I have quite a bit of light and dark green algae on some of my older (longer period in the tank - about two months) rocks. The reading that I have done on coraline algae has not discussed "green" varieties of coraline algae (only pink, red and purple).

Is the green growth on my live rock (the same as shown in the pictures in this thread) coraline algae or some other type of algae? It is not the slightest bit "slimey", and is hard in appearance and appears to be spreading. Initially, the rock was covered in purple alage (it's Fiji rock). Today, there are only very slight purple spots.

Early in my curing of the oldest rock in my tank, I was not adding calcium to the tank. I also believe that I may have utilized too much light - I understand that coraline algae prefer lower light. I have since added some great Tonga rock (lot's a red and pink) and am monitoring calcium and alkalinity. Is it likely that the new red and pink coraline algae will spread over the older less attractive green, or will the green algae eventully spread over my red and purple? I know that this requires a bit of conjecture on your part - but when you spend hundreds of dollars on rock and it all turns pea soup green, it's a bit disconcerting.

One other live rock pigmentation question. I have noticed that alot of the newly cured live rock is covered with white patches. Is that normal, or does that mean that whatever had been attached to that part of the rock has died off.

Finally, I am currently utilizing a canister filter and a skimmer. Based on your previous help, I have decided that I will be adding a sump and removing the canister filter. In the meantime, I have had ceramic biologic filtration within the canister. Last night, I removed 1/2 of my biological filtration media (as I am assuming that it is redundant to my live rock, and may infact contribute nitrates). My question concerns the timing of the complete removal of the canister filter. Should I wait until my live rock is more heavily encrusted in coraline algae before removing the canister? One other important factor is that there is not much in my tank to filter, I have no lifestock other than snails and hermits. With the minimal bioload, my system had not yet really been "tested". Sorry for the lengthy question, but as always I appreciate the help.


Thanks,
Chuck

[Samper]

Hey chuck,

The Corraline algae really plays no role that I know of as far as filtration is concerned. It's the bacteria in the rock that does that work. I don't know how many colors corraline comes in but I also have some green encrusting algae of some sorts that I assume is corraline. The corraline will spread everywhere giving nuisance algaes nowhere to take hold. If the majority of yours is pink or red that will be the majority of what you end up with.
The white patches you mentioned are dead spots but provided the right conditions you won't notice them long. Something else will recolonize it.
As for removing your canister filter.....I know it needs to come off but your rock may not be in full filtration mode yet. What I mean by that is it's possible much of your bacteria died off and is still trying to build up again. I think it'd be alright to just go ahead and remove it though.

Hope this helps
Chuck V.

[NoSump]

Thanks Chuck:

I'm beginning to wonder that if I am having this much of a challenge maintaining my live rock with the original colored coraline algae (which is supposed to be easy) - I may really have problems maintaining corals?

Chuck

[Samper]

Nice corraline growth is usually associated with your Ca and Alk. If you're having problems maintaining them then I would say you aren't ready for most corals. If you're maintaining them in acceptable ranges then give it time the corraline will spread. One day you'll be looking at your system like normal andyou'll be like...dang there is pink and red everywhere. I personally am becoming a fan of the Japanese tanks with no corraline. It's a heavy consumer of Ca which will cause you to have to dose more to keep your levels where you want them for the growth of more important things.

[NoSump]

Samper:

It's been a short time since my post - but I am already beginning to see a gradual growth of the purple, red and pink coraline kicking in. I am also beginning to see slight coloration on my glass. I guess just a little patience was needed.

Thanks

[Reefland]

A little patience, some starter coralline and appropriate alkalinity and calcium levels.

[Nelsonius]

Deffinitely listen to these guys on this one. I adjusted my Ca and Kh levels three weeks ago and have heavy coralline popping up everywhere.