LR changing color

[SYLVERXRS]

My live rock has changed from purple to almost white. What am I doing wrong?

[Bearfan]

What has changed?

Also, post your test results.

And your light source for the 20 gal hex

Cheers
Steve

[malkore]

...but it sounds like your coralline algae died, so you're seeing bare rock

[SYLVERXRS]

PH 8.4
NH3 0PPM
NO2 0PPM
NO3 5PPM


and I have a powerglow 30 watt florescent.
The surface of the rock lost most of its purple color

[xxmoorishmanxx]

how old is the tank

[SYLVERXRS]

almost a year old but no major problems

[darb2]

powerglow 30 watt florescent.

If this is the single bulb of no that came with the tank, then that is the problem. The purple corraline needs some more light.

[Atari]

I think if everything was fine until now then most likely your bulb just needed changing. Old bulbs can definitely be a cause of bleaching.

[Casimir]

This noob didnt realize how important lighting quality is. Is there a simple way to measure light output?

[Sparky]

Also, do you have any urchins in your tank? They will also strip coraline algae from the rocks. Just a thought.

[fishman]

your light output most of the time is based on the size of your ballest. For a tank that small, you should upgrade to NO lights and you will have a tremendous amt of growth...AND to improve the LR colors even more, add calcium too.. Im like you I didnt realize the importance of lighting.
Atari is right, the bulb(s) need to be changed. I had my NO flor lights for a year and my rock started fading too...I upgraded to VHO lighting and now I have purples all over the place!! But it does take time too!!