my rocks are turning green............I don't have live rock!....??

justnu

Member
I don't have live rock in my tank, but in the last week four of my rocks are turning green. Bright green! it's really nice I just want to know why. I have a 150 gal FO with two standard 4'flourescent bulbs that are on for, at the most, 10 hours a day.
 

karlas

Member
how long has your tank been going? we had picture rock before the lr and it turned green also but it was a alge bloom. the turbo snails once they started eating it turned the rock back to white. i would say its some type of alge.
 
G

glenn

Guest
You will find out that any type of fake rock or structure will turn green from algea. You will need either a major clean up crew or to get LR instead. Otherwise you will need to remove the rock and clean it about once a week.
 

broomer5

Active Member
JustNU
Green algae will often begin to grow on base rocks in our saltwater tanks. This is nothing to be too alarmed about in my opinion. If it's bright green, short and attached firmly to the rocks, most likely it can be beneficial to your tank.
If it appears as long hairy strands, it may become more of a problem.
It may continue to grow, or it may fade away.
Snails, hermits and other clean up crew critters may munch on it as well.
But if you like it, and it's growing in a somewhat controlled pace, not becoming a nuisance, then in my opinion - I'd let it grow.
Trying to control every lifeform that shows up in a marine tank by killing it or removing it - sometimes eliminates the diversity that leads to a healthy natural balanced tank.
The tank does not have to look sterile and totally clean to be a good looking tank.
If you like it, and it's not becoming a problem - let it grow.
Green algae does not need to be eliminated.
Green hair algae on the other hand - can get out of control.
The key is to determine what kind of algae it is - before trying to control it.
 

justnu

Member
Thanks for the responses so far everyone. Yes,
Broomer, it is short and firmly attached.
My tank has been running for only 2 months. (if that helps any)
The reason it surprised me what this is that these are the rocks my LFS "claimed" WERE live rock but obviously are not sold as live rock, seeing as they are dry as a bone. :>)
I didn't know if there was something leeching out or what!!? us NEWBIES, :rolleyes: lol
Thanks again.
 
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