rock changing colors in saltwater aquarium

Question

yellow rocks   QUESTION: I started a 55 tall 7 days ago and my rocks are starting to turn yellow, orange and brown. I also have a light purple starting to show, I also have a few small amnimnities starting to grow
nitrate no -3 = 20
ammonia n3/n4+ = 0
nitrite no-2 = 0
alk = 5.5
S.G. = 1.025
temp = 78-80
ph = 8.2
cal = 520+
po-3-4 = .5
dkh = 18

should i worry about the yellow and orange ?

ANSWER: Hello Kip,

Welcome to the world or reefing...

First off, you wont need to test for CAL or dkH for a while.  (until you start putting in a a bunch of corals.

For now, just focus on pH, S.G. and nitrate.  (if you start getting nitrate then test for ammonia, and nitrite)

but, save your test kits for a while.

Teh good news, is you are on track... You are experinecing some new tank algae.  Get some snails and crabs.  Let them do thier job...

It will get worse before it gets better, but that is okay.

I would reduce your light cycle by about 20% or more until you start putting in fish.

i would also start doing water changes every week or two weeks.

Are you adding 'fresh water' every day to make up for the 'evaporated' water?  If so, where are you getting that water, and do you have a TDS meter?

Taht should be as low as possible... (as that will contribute to the algae growth that is inevetible no need to feed it more though.


Good luck, and keep me posted...


Bill



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What is a TDS meter ? I'm buy water from a water store.

Answer
oh, crap, sorry...

TDS = total dissolved solids    (junk in the water)

With an ro/di filter, you would expect zero or very low results.

Maybe from the water store, maybe in the low 10s to 20s ppm


Those reading and results may contribute to phospates and tothe type of algae you are getting.  (although it is somewhat 'inevitable' for new tanks to get that algae, it could also be that ll new tanks use less thenperfect water also...


I would continue using the water store water, until yuou have worse algae, and then we can re look at this issue.


You can buy a TDS meter at home depot or most home improvement stores.

You can also buy them online at marine depot or www.bulkreefsupply.com

or www.filterdirect.com

good luck


Bill