Orange color coral

Question
I have a 75 gal salt water tank that i am starting. I have put about 1 inch of crushed coral on the bottom and i have put 2 natural live rocks in the tank. I have put the salt in and it is in the level that it needs to be at. My question to you is that i have been waiting to put fish in until my tank has rolled over. While waiting for this roll over my rocks and coral turned a orange color after about 4 weeks. It is going back to its original color but after about 3 weeks of this color it has only changed maybe 20% if that. Is this part of the roll over or do you think that it is something else. I did not want to put any fish in until it looked correct. Also what type of fish would you start with as a begginer? Thanks for the help in this mater.  

Answer

Hello,,

I think you need to give your corals/live rock a little more light.  They will often change colors during the  first year.  Make sure you give them about 14 hrs of light.  They are gradually turning back this is good.  I would be a little worried if your ammonia or Nitrites spiked because this would indicate that they are dying.  this is not the case. what type of coral and live rock do you have?
fish for starters here is my dozen
1, yellow tang, cardinal fish, royal gramma, flame hawkfish, long nose hawkfish,  clown fish clark's, golden wrasse coral angel fish, flame angel fish, panther grouper,
foxface, and firefish.


good luck.