Live Rock is turning white!

[jeremycarb]

I bought about 4 lbs of Fiji live rock a few weeks ago for my 20 gallon tank that I am starting. It was a dark greyish color but now it is turning white. I have some blue leg hermit crabs that eat algae off of the live rock but I doubt they would be changing the color of it. I have a live sand bedding and I only have one fish (damsel) in the tank at this time.

 

[salty cheese]

Do you have any lighting over the tank? What are your water parameters?

 

[jeremycarb]

I have a Blue 20 Watt light. Water parameters? I'm pretty sure it is everything it is supposed to be. Salinity, ammonia and PH are solid.

 

[clarkiiclo]

20 watts is not enough.
You should know your water parameters. Do you test for anything?

 

[salty cheese]

What exactly is a "Blue 20 watt light".:notsure:
Also that's only 1 watt per gallon, coraline likes light. I had the same thing happen to my rock because my lights didn't arrive till about 2 weeks after I recieved them.

 

[blemmy_guy]

salty its a fluorescent bulb, blue in color, and its 20 watts, i have 2 30 watt along with 2 ho actinics. . todd

 

[jeremycarb]

Yes it is a 20 Watt flourescent bulb that said on the package that it was good for salt water marine growth or something. I am not attempting to grow corals. I just want a healthy tank for fish and live rock. Do you think I still need a stronger light? what type of light would you recommend for just live rock and fish? (not corals)
Thankyou so much,
Jeremy

 

[blemmy_guy]

high output actinics, you can keep the blue and add a bright white, or get a 50/50 , its got both of the 2 afore mentioned in it. actincs look just like fluoros. hope that helps, todd

 

[jeremycarb]

I was told that a Hagen Life Glo 20 Watt would be sufficient for my 20 gallon coral less tank. I would appreciate anyone weighing in on this! thanks

 

[ericholcek]

if the rock was exposed to the air than the coraline will turn white.

 

[jeremycarb]

The rock is definately submerged entirely in water.

 

[salty cheese]

Sounds like a NO bulb to me. You are correct in that it is good enough for a FO setup but you will not get the coraline groth you seek with that kind of lighting IMO.

 

[sw65galma]

I'm thinking low calcium levels...Coraline needs calcium....
Anyone else agree?

 

[volitan100]

Originally posted by sw65galma
I'm thinking low calcium levels...Coraline needs calcium....
Anyone else agree?
I agree! I was low on calcium and my shrimp did not molt and died. My live rock turned white too. I added calcium and BAM! Everything back to normal