Newbie Color Change on Live Rock

[Theodo155]

Tank has been up for 2 weeks. Nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia levels are all zero. PH level is 7.8, live rock came from an established tank that was up for over a year. I had the live rock in a bin with heater and powerhead for a month before I setup the tank. So, I'm concerned about the rock and sand. At first it turned brown , but now it's turning green. Is there something wrong with the water? Shouldn't I see some kind of readings in the nitrate, nitrite and ammonia?

I've uploaded some pictures.

46 gallon bowfront, RO water, 75 lb live rock, 20 lbs live sand, sump filter, coaralife super skimmer, maxijet 600 powerhead, jabeo wave maker, 2-150 watt heaters, marineland reef capable LED lighting system. Specific gravity 1.04 @ 78 degrees.

 

[Dogshowgrl]

Diatoms and hair algea. Aka growing pains. Make sure you read the stickies and follow them. Your SG is a not a norm, most run 1.020 (fowlr) to 1.025 (Reef) if you didn't put in a source of ammonia then your tank is not truly cycling enough to build bacteria levels high enough to add "livestock." If you give it a source you will see the traditional cycle you are looking for. Good luck.

 

[Theodo155]

Typo, SG is 1.024!

 

[DJasak]

Check ur phosphate, rock could be leaching phosphates if it's old LR from another tank, which would explain the algae growth.

 

[Untamed Rose]

Water doesnt really hold as many bacteria as folks seem to think, bacteria clings to stuff hence the rocks.

What you have realistically is Cured Live rock, which is a good start but sound like you still need to cycle the tank...have you been feeding it? You NEED want some messed up stuff... some spike to cycle it.

 

[Untamed Rose]

Go ahead and take a soft tooth brush to it....make ya feel better and some of it will got into the filtration.

 

[Theodo155]

Feed it? What do you mean,suggest? I thought some of the live rock die off would get things going.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Feed it fish food.