first time user

[Marvin]

Hi everyone, I am a new owner of a 37g ViaAqua tank. I have so many questions but will start out with a few.

1. I have about 15lbs of live rock that have been in the tank for about 2 weeks. They are starting to turn yellow. Is this normal or should i clean it somehow?

2. Also, i have 2 clown fish, 1 yellow tang, 1 powder blue tang, and 1 feather duster. I believe that the 2 lites that came with the tank are flourescent. Is this suffecient for what i have?

Thank you.

[MonoSebaelover]

Welcome to Aquaria Central. I would HIGHLY suggest returning both tangs to a local fish store. A 37g is WAY to small for either let alone both. There is probably not enoght light to sustain the coralline algaes and such which will add color to live rock plus the Tangs will eat any kind of algae growth growing. The lights will be fine as longs as no corals and anemones. Anyway, hope this helps.

[Marvin]

Hmm, can't return the tangs...Is it bad for the fish though? Next, what do you mean by coralline algaes? Also, is there anything i can do about the yellow color on the live rocks?

Thank you so much for your help.

[Gealcath]

Coralline algae uses Calcium to make a "shell", so it looks like smooth, sometimes redish finish on certain parts of live rock, when they dont get enough light they loose the color and tend to look pale or off-white.

[MonoSebaelover]

Where do you live? It is bad for the fish as they roam the oceans in the wild (just like Dory in Finding Nemo) and they need a minimum of a 6 foot tank in order to thrive. In smaller tanks they are much more prone to ich which can be fatal especially for the powder blue. The yellow stuff could be diatom algae, it is hard to say without a picture. Coralline algae is brilliant red/purple/pink algae that forms on the live rock under ideal lighting, which makes the rock really pretty. If the algae is diatoms it will go away in time. Anyway, hope this helps.

[Marvin]

ah, thanks for the info. You guys here are the greatest. Keep up the good work.

Until next time when i come up with more questions. (which won't take too long)

[Marvin]

ok, thought of another question. You guys mentioned about lighting and algae. As i stated before, i am using the lights that came with the tank (2 of them sitting parrellel). Will upgrading the lights be beneficial to the rocks, fish, etc...and if so, what kind of light?

Last thing, algae is good or bad?