adding base rock after cycleing

[carter3]

I can't find a lot of info out here on base rock so I'm relieing on swf.com.
Money is definely an issue with me. I want to start with about 30lb of lr 20lb of dead sand 20lb ls on top. I've read that if you add more live rock later that it will start the cycleing process all over again throw things out of wack!! :thinking: If I add base rock later will that cause any change to water quality. :help: Like I said money is the issue for now. So far base rock is costing the same as lr. but if i can't add until later I should use base rock

Please note 55gl havn't start yet just asking and reading before I start

 

[renogaw]

adding base rock should not be a problem, if you're worried about it boil it and sun dry it.

 

[schadiest1]

Originally Posted by carter3
I've read that if you add more live rock later that it will start the cycleing process all over again throw things out of wack!!
Only if the live rock was shipped and arrives with lots of die off. If you get it cured from a LFS, you'll be alright.

 

[saltn00b]

you should put any new rock in a QT tank and check for water changes over 2 weeks. if it spikes, let it cycle out, if not, then you should be fine.

 

[myreef05]

IMO adding base rock later will affect the water quality because:
you will disturb the sand bed as you take rock out, put base rock in, replace lr.

 

[carter3]

Originally Posted by Schadiest1
Only if the live rock was shipped and arrives with lots of die off. If you get it cured from a LFS, you'll be alright.

How can you tell if a rock is cured or not? Some lfs will say anything to get a sale. I would rather have lr than base rock anyday, plus they cost the same my main concern will be the water quality. Maybe I'll be the ginnie pig and try the base rock and let u know how it work for me. Unless the base rock will do anything negitive, anybody here any negitive feed back about this.

 

[renogaw]

put your nose to the live rock. sniff it. if you don't get bowled over, its semi cured. It should smell like a clean ocean smell, but of course, depending on where you live you may have never smelled one.

 

[carter3]

Originally Posted by renogaw
put your nose to the live rock. sniff it. if you don't get bowled over, its semi cured. It should smell like a clean ocean smell, but of course, depending on where you live you may have never smelled one.

From Chicago born and raised the closest thing we have to the Ocean is Lake Michigan.

So semi cured stink and clean ocean is a little fishy

or just plan and nothing much.

 

[saltn00b]

sense of smell is not very accurate. the only way to tell if it is cured is to put it in a QT tank and continue to check the water for spikes. putting rock in later after you are sure it is cured, my kick sand around a little bit, but if you are careful you will get only a very minor, if not unnoticeable spike. i have done that many times.

 

[carter3]

No qt tank yet is there any other way. like I said maybe base rock will be the best solution for this, just to be on the safe side. Much rather have lr but base sound a less of a headache.