Is this normal for a live rock?

[adam_anzivino]

I noticed my live rock getting a rusty sort or orange brown color, instead of a purple-ish color like i see all the rest turn. I wanted to know if this was normal or if there was something in the water.
My ammonia isn't completely down from the spike, however, it is dropping. It is now at .25 and declining still. my salinity is great and nitrates are good(ditto as ammonia, not completely down yet)
heres a pic of before and now...
3627


and then the rock now... getting orange...
3628

Thanks for the help!
-Adam

[perpetual98]

That's just a normal algae blood that all new tanks go through. It'll pass in time. Just keep an eye on your parameters.

[adam_anzivino]

thanks! i'm new at this (first saltwater tank) so i'm not used to the cycling.
-Adam

[graphixx]

yep like eric said, your still in the cycling stages. your growing beneficial bacteria that will in time keep the algae in check. your parameters will spike and then drop and then stabilize. you will notice it on your sand next.

[jojo22]

It usually lasts a week or two but a little longer or a little shorter is normal just to give you a general time line.

[adam_anzivino]

i dunno how sea horse whisperer is getting his nano so nice so fast though... i wish mine would do that so i could plant some anenomes and corals...

[jojo22]

Yeah SHE'S doing a great job. You'll get there bud.

I'm just rasin ya bud about the SHE thing, but it is true.

[hummer]

slow and steddy wins the race

[adam_anzivino]

ok lol sorrrry didn't know miss seahorse whisperer :-) no hard feelings

[hummer]

dont rush it most of these folks have been doing this for a verrrrrrry long time and thay already know what works and dont ...so imo is to go slow

[Sweetpea]

Adam, don't feel bad! It takes time to get things the way you want them to be. Since this is your first tank, you are bound to be surprised and even confused by some of the stuff you see going on in your tank. No worries, though... You are doing FINE!!!

Just keep reading and asking questions, and before you know it- YOU'LL be the one with an amazing tank answering questions for the next generation of newbies! ;)