Adding LARGE amounts of LR to Established Tank

[swnewbie]

I have the opportunity to buy a LARGE amount of LR from a local person who is breaking down her tank. I have read that adding a lot of LR to an established tank can cause the readings to spike.
What is the best way to keep this LR live, while I slowly add it to my tank? Could I mix up some FRESH saltwater (not using water from my tank, but mixing it up fresh), put it into a couple of tubs, with a pump, then hold the LR in there until I slowly work it into my tank? Will the LR stay alive in fresh SW?
Also, how many lbs of LR should I add at any one time, so it won't spike my tank?
How long should I wait before adding the next amount?
This would give me about 3lbs of LR per gal, instead of the normal 1 to 1-1/2lbs per gal. Is this TOO much LR?
Thank you.

 

[yellowtail]

you cannot OVERDUE the amount of live rock because the glass may break. i have NO IDEA what the breaking point is tho.it should be strong. mix up some sw into buckets with a powerhead and a heater and store mthe lr there.what size tank do you have and how long has it been established?

 

[birdy]

I would think adding around 10-15lbs at a time would be just fine, and yes you can store the LR in tubs or a trashcan with a heater and powerhead and it should be just fine. If you use all fresh saltwater there may be a small spike in the water just from the water cycling, but it wouldn't last long due to the large amounts of cured LR.
Yellowtail- can't figure out why you are talking about glass breaking?

 

[squidd]

The problem with adding large ammounts of LR is directly proportional to the amount of "die off" it brings with it...
Uncured LR would obviously be the worst to add to an established tank, But even "cured" LR if it's been out of the water for any extended time due to shipping or transportation will have some die off...
If your getting this rock from a local reefer, from an established tank, and have limited the time the rock is out of their tank and into yours, you should have no problem moving it all...
If it's only an hour or so and you keep it wet, no biggie...

 

[badkharma]

Yes, add it portions at a time like the others suggested. And disregard Yellowtail's comment about too much LR causing the glass to break. Whatever mass is taken up by the LR will just displace that much more water, so the weight will essentially stay the same anyway. You can only have too much LR when the fish don't have room to cruise around.

 

[sw65galma]

IF the rock is in a running tank, take it out, put in container with water from the tank.
If you can keep the rock covered with water all the way home , you should not have a problem tossing most of it in.
As you will have very little if any die off. IMO.
I would think that adding it slowly and storing it, would cause more die off and a larger amonia spike than just adding it.