Why Are My Live Rocks Turning White?

Living rocks are calcareous structures made of coral and other invertebrate deposits. These serve as hiding or sleeping areas for aquarium occupants, and act as a biological filter platform. These living things need attention and care, but luckily not as much as most aquarium occupants. If you notice the natural color is beginning to fade and turn white, this indicates something is wrong inside the tank. Frequently, its a quick fix to get it back to normal. If left untreated, your fish and other water creatures may also start to show negative signs.

  1. Iodine

    • Lack of iodine can cause the whitening of your live rocks. Iodine, along with calcium, gives some live rocks their color. Protein skimmers inside your tank often remove added iodine and other additives from the water, thus depriving your living rocks of its needed iodine. Use time-release iodine to rectify this issue, or turn the skimmer off for regular, short periods.

    Calcium

    • Lack of calcium can also cause this condition. This mineral helps give certain animal and oceanic life its calcareous structure. Lack of calcium can cause discoloration.

    Water

    • If you use tap water in your fish tank without a dechlorinator, this can cause living rocks to whiten, as well as possibly harm any living thing inside the tank or aquarium. Use a dechlorinator to bring the water to a suitable level for fish, aquarium plants and living rocks. These are found at most pet stores. If left untreated, the nitrate levels in your tank water may rise to dangerous levels, causing illness and possible death of living creatures inside the tank. It is always good practice to test the pH levels of your fish tank water to see the current conditions and levels.

    Lighting

    • Use tank or aquarium lighting in intervals, as many living things, including the living rocks and coral, need to sleep just as humans do. You should mimic the plant, fish and living rock's natural habitat to keep them healthy. When they are at home in the ocean, lake or stream, they only get up to 12 hours of light, if that. Overexposure can harm them, thus turning your living rocks white. Use 50/50 fluorescent light bulbs to light the tank or aquarium, and only run it up to 12 hours a day.