Live Rock Cycling

[sims]

I've been cycling about 5 days now and my cured live rock is turning a dusty sand color in many places. Is that a normal part of the cycle effect, or should I be concerned?

 

[adam.crouch]

I've been cycling about 5 days now and my cured live rock is turning a dusty sand color in many places. Is that a normal part of the cycle effect, or should I be concerned?

Make sure the power heads pointing at the rock so theres no dead spots.

 

[Ter]

sounds like coralline algae die off.. how long was the rock out of the water? also what are your calcium levels at?

 

[sims]

It was only out of the water from the store tank to my tank (10-15 min). Im not sure what the calcium level is..I'll have to check that tonight.

 

[Ter]

how are you going about cycling your live rock? in your main tank? tell us about what ur doing.. whats in the tank your using 2 cycle your rock?


* what colour was the rock at first? and is changing 2 white? off white?
Ter

 

[Mr Miagi]

what colour was the rock at first?

Thats what I want to know. What part of the Rock is changing colour? Most LR has some die-off, and corralline can die when it comes in contact with air, or dries out. MOst LFS's should wrap it for you in moist newspaper, this should help. Theres nothing you can do for it if it is corralline, but in the future, it will grow back given adequate lighting and calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium.

 

[sparklefuzz]

It was only out of the water from the store tank to my tank (10-15 min). Im not sure what the calcium level is..I'll have to check that tonight.

Was it 'fully cured' when you bought it? Because, 10-15 minutes out of water shouldn't theoretically start a cycle.. are you testing your water daily? Mine was out of water about half an hour and I got no ammonia or nitrite spikes at all.