awc5

I have a 30 gal tank. SG/pH/ammonia/Nitirite/Nitrates are 1.022/8.2/0/0/around 10. My LR is turning white in some spots. Other spots are starting to grow the coraline algae. Am I supposed to be cleaning the white spots? The tank is new (5 weeks) with the LR 4 weeks old. It was supposedly cured at the time it was bought.
Thanks for any help.

Phishies Inn

I'm not an expert butttt...

I've heard that during the curing stages the rock can sometimes "bleach" white...so if you don't think it was cured (you said "supposedly"), it might still be in the process. I don't think it's a bad thing though, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Oil_Fan

I would think that if the LR was still curing, he'd be getting ammonia spikes and such. That's just my guess and my whole month and half experience!! heh

Mike

The bleached coralline could result from the rock being exposed to air too long, an imbalance in alkalinity and calcium, or adjusting to different lighting levels/intensity. Keep the alkalinity, magnesium and calcium levels up (need test kits) to provide a good environment for them to grow. Frequent partial saltwater changes should help keep your water parameters where they need to be for coralline growth.

awc5

Thanks for the input. I'm thinking that it might be air exposure. Will the rock recover? I'll get some test kits for magnesium and calcium but will have to do that on-line (not carried in the LFS). I currently do partial saltwater changes (5 to 20% depending on the tank conditions) at least once a week. Do I need to do more?
I said supposedly because I bought the LR at the local Petco store. I read that their LR was only partially cured but the sales rep said it was fully cured. I did not have any of the described curing process occur in the tank. But being new to all this it could have been beginners luck?
Again, thanks for all the help. This site is great!

agsansoo

Gozer_1

Are the white spots slimy or crusty? If it's slimy then it is rotten dead stuff because your LR was not fully cured. Go ahead and try to suck out the slimy kind. Being Petco rock I'd almost guarantee it was not fully cured. If it's Coraline bleaching out then give it time and it may rebound. If not, more will eventually grow over it. Follow Mikes advice and your coraline will make a come back. I'd say the most likely cause is from adjusting to the lights.