Adding Live Rock

mavis1032

mavis1032

Member
Long story short, I bought about 165lbs of fiji rock from an established tank ($200.00) The guy had broken down his tank and had the rock in a large rubbermaid can with 2 powerheads for about 3 weeks. I now have the same set up with freshly mixed saltwater and 2 large powerheads. How long do I need to wait before adding to my tank which is fully stocked and already has about 200lbs of LR?
 
crypt keeper

crypt keeper

Active Member
Id wait two weeks just in case you have some die off. Then start adding a little at a time. What is the rush. How big of atank do you have? That is a lot of rock.
 
mavis1032

mavis1032

Member
If after 2 weeks I test the water the rocks are in and everything is good is there a problem with adding all of the rock at the same time? I am going to have to remove the canopy to do it and I really don't want to leave it off for an extended period of time.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
You really need to cycle the rock first, cure it is the term. It needs to have the powerheads, heater and water periodically. You need to work it just like a new tank setup. Testing for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. When the rock has cured you will get no ammonia and nitrite reading. Then you can take the rock out swish it around in some change water from your tank to get any detritus off of it and place it in your tank. The problem here is that there is dieoff on the rock and if you put it into your tank you risk an ammonia spike.
 
mavis1032

mavis1032

Member
Thanks, I understand the process but wondered since it had come out of an established tank and has been "curing" at the sellers house for three weeks, then traveled 2 miles to my "curing" tank, If I still needed to wait 3 weeks.
This is a pic of what I bought
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Very nice. But you did not mention a heater in his holding tank. If that is the case and the water got cold, there will be significant dieoff, and then it must be recured.
 
V

vinnyraptor

Guest
Originally Posted by MAVIS1032
http:///forum/post/2983179
No heater but we are in South Florida... probably not much of a need for a heater.

dude its fine, add it in 4 stages over a 2 week period. if it was only exposed to air for a few seconds and has been in the same water its cured. assuming ammo and nitrates check out to 0 your good to go.
 
mavis1032

mavis1032

Member
I think I just made the deal of a lifetime. I bought this light fixture Coralife Aquapro 48" with 2X250w Mh 2X96w actinics and 4x2w lunar lights complete with the ballasts from the same guy i got the rock from for $100.00.

 
js1976

js1976

Member
Thats a good looking tank. I know this thread is about your LR but just curious to know what you have under the hood (filtration, etc).
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Originally Posted by MAVIS1032
http:///forum/post/2983777
I think I just made the deal of a lifetime. I bought this light fixture Coralife Aquapro 48" with 2X250w Mh 2X96w actinics and 4x2w lunar lights complete with the ballasts from the same guy i got the rock from for $100.00.

THAT IS A GREAT DEAL!!!!
 
mavis1032

mavis1032

Member
Originally Posted by js1976
http:///forum/post/2983827
Thats a good looking tank. I know this thread is about your LR but just curious to know what you have under the hood (filtration, etc).
Proclear Wet/Dry with built in skimmer, 2nd skimmer ProClear Aquatics Impact Skimmer 400, Pentair Aquatics (Rainbow Lifegard) 25 Watt UV Sterilizer QL-25
 
mavis1032

mavis1032

Member
Originally Posted by VinnyRaptor
http:///forum/post/2983199
dude its fine, add it in 4 stages over a 2 week period. if it was only exposed to air for a few seconds and has been in the same water its cured. assuming ammo and nitrates check out to 0 your good to go.
Well I waited a week and tested the water the rocks are curing in and the Ammonia is at .25, I did a 100% water change and I guess I need to wait another week before adding it.
 
small triggers

small triggers

Active Member
Yeah,, looks good. I wish I could get stuff like that, but it always seems to happen when i dont have extra money laying around. Someone near me is ripping down their 800g and selling it and everything for it for $3000.
BUT my husband cant understand why i should get it, since we already have a 150g
 
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