NEED Help- bleaching rock

[GPhiAce]

Ok, I am having a little issue. My rock is turning white. It started on 1 rock that was noticed on Tuesday and now I noticed decreased algae on 5 rocks. So my Question is what causes decreased algae/whiting out of rocks? Here are my parameters

SpG- 1.024
pH- 8.1
trates- 0
phoshates- 0
temp- 78.9 +/- 0.9
Ca- 380
kH- 7

Last weekend, I did a 25% water change (about 25%) and also used a different brand of glue- Loctite. I used it to attach frags to rock underwater, as well as frags to frag plugs. The only thing different than my normal routine was the new glue. here are a few pics of the bleaching.

Oh yeah, that stupid shrimp is still in there.

 

[cee]

Urchin or low Mg.

 

[GPhiAce]

Thanks dave, I will heck the Mg. I have some here, stopped dosing.

 

[fishdoc11]

Looks like something might be eating it to me. Can't snails eat coraline as well as urchins? I seem to remember something like that but I might be dreaming

 

[ct_vol]

Asterinas and some other starfish will eat coraline...

 

[GPhiAce]

Thanks guys. Learn something new everyday- didn't know that some species of them ate coralline. Would it happen that suddenly and that much if it were snails, starfish or urchins? Plus I have not added any new rock, so I would think that the population in there would have shown that they eat coralline already, but I could be wrong.

 

[cee]

Those rock-boring urchins can chow a bunch of coralline quick. They're also good hiders and common on LR as hitchhikers. However, given your rapid decline, I'd suspect Mg and measure that first. It'll help keep your Alk/Ca up as well (which are a tad low IMO, but not by much). If you had asterinas eating that much I suspect you'd see a bunch when the lights dim (I know I do).

 

[GPhiAce]

Thanks Dave. I am trying all of what you have suggested. I was not aware nor proud of the Ca & Alk levels when I meassured them, but I haven't dosed in a while either. Oh well. Thank you once again, and you haven't posted any new pics of your tank lately.

 

[cee]

My tank's in a bit of a funk at the moment. New fish with popeye (recovering), STN of one of my corals, a bit of hair algae, etc. Not one of its better moments. Your parameters are not too far off and quite commendable if you've not dosed in awhile Get the flashlight out well after dark and see what you can see. Urchins, snails, and starfish don't move very fast

Dave

 

[jettster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14992823#post14992823 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cee
Those rock-boring urchins can chow a bunch of coralline quick. They're also good hiders and common on LR as hitchhikers. However, given your rapid decline, I'd suspect Mg and measure that first. It'll help keep your Alk/Ca up as well (which are a tad low IMO, but not by much). If you had asterinas eating that much I suspect you'd see a bunch when the lights dim (I know I do).

I had one hitchhike in and when I found it it was bigger than a golf ball and you can see white places on the rocks it grazes on but it does seem fast for your tank

 

[EvilMel]

I agree that you should check your magnesium, but if it were a nutrient issue rather than a predator issue wouldn't it be bleaching all over?

It looks like it's concentrated in spots from the pictures. That points more towards something munching.

As an aside, it seems to me that few people manage magnesium, not realizing that it goes hand in hand with calcium and alkalinity. Maintaining a proper equilibrium of the three is pretty important. You were dosing it so obviously you aren't one of those people but here's some articles on Magnesium.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

 

[OceanDweller]

who knows though I don't think it would have been the glue. Did you clean the lights or anything different with the lighting. The SPS seem to look okay so I wouldn't be too concerned.

 

[ct_vol]

lol Melly has been reading... Can't believe she posted links... :lol:

 

[themadreeferTN]

When coraline goes into sexual reproduction it turns white. Mine has done this 3 times in 9 years. It happens suddenly and the bleached parts on the glass fall off completely and disolve. Not all of the coraline bleached in any of my events and new growth was evident within a week or two. I agree on the Mg issue and if you dont have a kit one of the LFS could definately test it for you.

 

[GPhiAce]

Melly posted a link, and read through the thread.... Were you bored???? Thanks for your input- everyone. I keep forgetting the bag of water I need to take to the CR for a check. So far, it seems to have slowed down some, and i will keep everyone posted. I did not see an urchin, but I do have alot of asterinas. anyone have a loner sexy shrimp???? then I would have to get 2 shrimp out.

 

[EvilMel]

Hey, hey now...yes...I've been reading. Gimme a break here. I can't keep working at the store and be moronic about the reef chemistry, corals, and all fish except gobies. I've got to get better at one of those three at least. Chemistry comes naturally to me so that's what I've been learning.

Paul, if you put a sexy shrimp in there...within about 24 hours you'll still only have one shrimp to get out. Hah hah. Boo.

I had no idea that coraline algae could go "sexual". I'm gonna have to look that one up too when I get a second to breathe.

Edit: and FYI, I've also water changed twice in the past week and a half. Now if I can just get new bulbs and start using a decent salt I'll be in business.