Pink stuff turning white - problem? (photo)

[amahler]

I'm just bursting with questions tonight.

Some of my live rock has a patches of a fairly smooth pink areas... some overlaps with some blue or light purple areas.

First off - what is it? Similar to coraline alagae (like the dark purple that covers my older live Fiji rock)?

Second question: Why is it starting to turn white? All of the new rock has a slightly whithish/grayish sandy appearance on it and some parts are getting whiter than others. I was wondering if this is living stuff that is croaking as time goes on...

Thanks!
- Aaron

[Fluff]

It's probably some type of sponge dying. Dye off is common, especially if the sponges have been exposed to air for any length of time.

[gilraen]

Since I'll be curing 45 lbs. of live rock, I've read lots on it, so to answer your ? I think some stuff is dying and you should shipon it out ASAP, be ready for ammonia spikes. Good luck