Adding More Rock
- Thread starter coderad
- Start date
mikeyjer
Active Member
Originally Posted by CodeRad
OK thanks, If I just get more live rock can I just add it straight to the tank or dose it have to be rinsed or something?
Depending on the rocks, if they're cured, add them right in. Do you have any live stock in it right now?? If you don't, might as well add them all in at once rather it's cured or not. :happyfish
OK thanks, If I just get more live rock can I just add it straight to the tank or dose it have to be rinsed or something?
Depending on the rocks, if they're cured, add them right in. Do you have any live stock in it right now?? If you don't, might as well add them all in at once rather it's cured or not. :happyfish
mikeyjer
Active Member
Originally Posted by alyssia
You can buy unlive base rock. Your LR will eventually seed it and it will become live.
Base rocks will always be base rocks depending on the type of rock your using. For an example, if you used lace rock, it will only become base rock, not live rock. But if you used dried live rocks, it will become live in no time. :happyfish
You can buy unlive base rock. Your LR will eventually seed it and it will become live.
Base rocks will always be base rocks depending on the type of rock your using. For an example, if you used lace rock, it will only become base rock, not live rock. But if you used dried live rocks, it will become live in no time. :happyfish
chipmaker
Active Member
Well it depends on what the term cured means to the lfs selling the rock. If you buy so called cured lr online it could be bad to add it directly to an established tank as its bound to have die off, and how much is anyones guess, and it could induce another cycle..not good if it has fish etc in already, but if tank is free of critters it would be ok. I personallay would still cure any and all so called cured live rock in a separate container, unless I personally picked it up and it came out of a tank or other container, that had good water parameters, and I did not have to make a long trip back home with it. So I tend to treat any cured LR that is otherwise obtained as uncured to be on the safe side.
I keep a small tank going and often use water form water changes in it, to throw in pices of LR etc that I acquire. It doe snot require light unless there is some critters on it that are light dependant, and if the room its in is reasonably warm, just a simple hob filter without media or a small power head is sufficient. I throw the stuff in that tank and let it go for a period of time. I do not do water tests, but do have an ammonia indicator hanging inside the tank....When I am ready to use some of it, I do my water tests to confirm if its suitable and ready to use.
I keep a small tank going and often use water form water changes in it, to throw in pices of LR etc that I acquire. It doe snot require light unless there is some critters on it that are light dependant, and if the room its in is reasonably warm, just a simple hob filter without media or a small power head is sufficient. I throw the stuff in that tank and let it go for a period of time. I do not do water tests, but do have an ammonia indicator hanging inside the tank....When I am ready to use some of it, I do my water tests to confirm if its suitable and ready to use.
coderad
Member
Yes do have livestock in the tank, I false percula, and a dragon pipefish a few needle snails and two urchants, I have a fairly decent lfs close to home. Thanks for the advice and I think I will let it sit in a container to cure or make sure it has cured.
For the container should I use cycled tank water, (water from water change) or can I just mix a fresh batch of salt water to use?
I will just need circulation and heat in the container?
Thanks again
For the container should I use cycled tank water, (water from water change) or can I just mix a fresh batch of salt water to use?
I will just need circulation and heat in the container?
Thanks again
jonny bolt
Member
You can mix up some fresh saltwater, enough to cover the live rock you are curing. Yes, you need a heater, and keep it pumped up to 80 degrees to speed die-off. Yes, also throw in a powerhead, or you could get by with using a airstone. You should do 100% water changes around every 3-4 days as well. Could take anywhere from a week to 4 weeks depending on how much LR you're curing and how much die-off has already occured.
saltfan
Active Member
Originally Posted by Mikeyjer
Base rocks will always be base rocks depending on the type of rock your using. For an example, if you used lace rock, it will only become base rock, not live rock. But if you used dried live rocks, it will become live in no time. :happyfish
So your saying, that if I put in lace rock, as porus as it is, the independants in my exsisting live rock will not inhabit the lace rock? :thinking: Careful, I know the answer to this question, chekcing to see if you do. I need to get BIRDY and ReefNut in here for this one.
Base rocks will always be base rocks depending on the type of rock your using. For an example, if you used lace rock, it will only become base rock, not live rock. But if you used dried live rocks, it will become live in no time. :happyfish
So your saying, that if I put in lace rock, as porus as it is, the independants in my exsisting live rock will not inhabit the lace rock? :thinking: Careful, I know the answer to this question, chekcing to see if you do. I need to get BIRDY and ReefNut in here for this one.
spanish dancer
Member
Why can't base rock become live rock? after all, that is basically what they are doing in florida at their aquaculture facilities to produce live rock... isn't it?
alyssia
Active Member
Originally Posted by Mikeyjer
Base rocks will always be base rocks depending on the type of rock your using. For an example, if you used lace rock, it will only become base rock, not live rock. But if you used dried live rocks, it will become live in no time. :happyfish
:notsure: What?
Base rocks will always be base rocks depending on the type of rock your using. For an example, if you used lace rock, it will only become base rock, not live rock. But if you used dried live rocks, it will become live in no time. :happyfish
:notsure: What?
spanish dancer
Member
Mikeyjer, Is what you said even true? I am pretty sure base rock can become live rock!
mikeyjer
Active Member
Originally Posted by SaltFan
So your saying, that if I put in lace rock, as porus as it is, the independants in my exsisting live rock will not inhabit the lace rock? :thinking: Careful, I know the answer to this question, chekcing to see if you do. I need to get BIRDY and ReefNut in here for this one.
Lace rock are NOT porus!!!! The inhabitants will inhabit the lace rock YES, but it doesn't do the job like a regular live rock does!!!! You don't see pods or worms living in it do ya? Cause there's NO holes in it for it to thrive in. It will only be live base rock, but not a live rock!!!
So your saying, that if I put in lace rock, as porus as it is, the independants in my exsisting live rock will not inhabit the lace rock? :thinking: Careful, I know the answer to this question, chekcing to see if you do. I need to get BIRDY and ReefNut in here for this one.
Lace rock are NOT porus!!!! The inhabitants will inhabit the lace rock YES, but it doesn't do the job like a regular live rock does!!!! You don't see pods or worms living in it do ya? Cause there's NO holes in it for it to thrive in. It will only be live base rock, but not a live rock!!!
mikeyjer
Active Member
Originally Posted by Spanish Dancer
Why can't base rock become live rock? after all, that is basically what they are doing in florida at their aquaculture facilities to produce live rock... isn't it?
The rocks they used are porus, lace rocks aren't!!! It all depends on the type of rock they're using. If you read on it enough, you'll find what I'm talking about. When I started out by adding lace rock, I did a lot of research before I choose my rocks and that's the ones I stack on the bottom and place live rocks over the top of it. I also purchased some dry porus rocks that used to be live. Now, they've become live rocks. You guys need to search what makes a live rock LIVE before making your statement!!!!
Why can't base rock become live rock? after all, that is basically what they are doing in florida at their aquaculture facilities to produce live rock... isn't it?
The rocks they used are porus, lace rocks aren't!!! It all depends on the type of rock they're using. If you read on it enough, you'll find what I'm talking about. When I started out by adding lace rock, I did a lot of research before I choose my rocks and that's the ones I stack on the bottom and place live rocks over the top of it. I also purchased some dry porus rocks that used to be live. Now, they've become live rocks. You guys need to search what makes a live rock LIVE before making your statement!!!!
mikeyjer
Active Member
This is a quote from a different website!!!
"What Is Live Rock?
When talking about live rock (LR), it is a misconception that the rock itself is alive. What makes it live are the many forms of micro and macroscopic marine life that live on and inside of it. The rock itself is only made up of the calcium carbonate skeletons of long dead corals, or other calcareous organisms."
Another Quote!
"There is also dead base rock, meaning it has no live growth on it. This is rock that is devoid of external life that probably won't see much light, so you can put other forms of more advanced live rock and corals on top of it to build your reef system base, once your tank has settled and the base rock is seeded or cured. Beginning a reef tank using seeded base live rock as the center stones of the aquarium is not a bad idea. Once the base rock is established, then you can begin to add, slowly, more advanced types of live rock."
More Quote!
"The use of live rock immediately introduces into the aquarium numerous algae, bacteria and small invertebrates all of which contribute to the overall quality of the aquarium water. Live rock has just as much, if not more, surface area for bacteria than a trickle filter. Since live rock in the aquarium contains various types of bacteria, algae and corals, waste products such as ammonia, nitrate and phosphate can have a number of fates. Ammonia, nitrate and phosphate are readily assimilated by algae and photosynthetic corals growing on and in the rock. Ammonia can also be quickly converted into nitrate by the bacteria on and in the rock. This nitrate can be either absorbed by the algae and corals, or it can be denitrified by bacteria in close proximity to the nitrate producing bacteria."
"What Is Live Rock?
When talking about live rock (LR), it is a misconception that the rock itself is alive. What makes it live are the many forms of micro and macroscopic marine life that live on and inside of it. The rock itself is only made up of the calcium carbonate skeletons of long dead corals, or other calcareous organisms."
Another Quote!
"There is also dead base rock, meaning it has no live growth on it. This is rock that is devoid of external life that probably won't see much light, so you can put other forms of more advanced live rock and corals on top of it to build your reef system base, once your tank has settled and the base rock is seeded or cured. Beginning a reef tank using seeded base live rock as the center stones of the aquarium is not a bad idea. Once the base rock is established, then you can begin to add, slowly, more advanced types of live rock."
More Quote!
"The use of live rock immediately introduces into the aquarium numerous algae, bacteria and small invertebrates all of which contribute to the overall quality of the aquarium water. Live rock has just as much, if not more, surface area for bacteria than a trickle filter. Since live rock in the aquarium contains various types of bacteria, algae and corals, waste products such as ammonia, nitrate and phosphate can have a number of fates. Ammonia, nitrate and phosphate are readily assimilated by algae and photosynthetic corals growing on and in the rock. Ammonia can also be quickly converted into nitrate by the bacteria on and in the rock. This nitrate can be either absorbed by the algae and corals, or it can be denitrified by bacteria in close proximity to the nitrate producing bacteria."
mikeyjer
Active Member
More Quotes from WWM!!!!
"Despite the fact that there are several different types, almost every piece of live rock is fundamentally the same thing. It's all limestone that has been collected from various areas in the sea where loose chunks of rubble can be picked up. In most cases this limestone rubble accumulates in areas naturally, but in others it has been specifically placed somewhere with the intentions of collecting it later.
When it is collected, these pieces of limestone have all sorts of organisms living on their surfaces and also within their porous interiors, and this is where the "live" part of "live rock" comes from. In general, you can expect a significant variety of microorganisms to populate any given piece of live rock and most will also have at least some coverage of coralline algae giving it a patchy purple, pink, and/or red appearance. A large part of what you’ll see for sale has those minimum inhabitants. On the other end of the spectrum, top-quality live rock has those organisms and may also carry a surprising variety of macroalgae, sponges, tunicates, bryozoans, worms, clams, snails, crabs, hermit crabs, shrimps, barnacles, brittle stars, sea stars, sea urchins, anemones, and soft and stony corals, etc. Lots of stuff! "
Another Quote on Lace Rock off WWM!
"Lace rock is mined from ancient reef formations which are a non-renewable resource (dead). Live rock is a living and renewable resource of vast quantity/potential."
"Despite the fact that there are several different types, almost every piece of live rock is fundamentally the same thing. It's all limestone that has been collected from various areas in the sea where loose chunks of rubble can be picked up. In most cases this limestone rubble accumulates in areas naturally, but in others it has been specifically placed somewhere with the intentions of collecting it later.
When it is collected, these pieces of limestone have all sorts of organisms living on their surfaces and also within their porous interiors, and this is where the "live" part of "live rock" comes from. In general, you can expect a significant variety of microorganisms to populate any given piece of live rock and most will also have at least some coverage of coralline algae giving it a patchy purple, pink, and/or red appearance. A large part of what you’ll see for sale has those minimum inhabitants. On the other end of the spectrum, top-quality live rock has those organisms and may also carry a surprising variety of macroalgae, sponges, tunicates, bryozoans, worms, clams, snails, crabs, hermit crabs, shrimps, barnacles, brittle stars, sea stars, sea urchins, anemones, and soft and stony corals, etc. Lots of stuff! "
Another Quote on Lace Rock off WWM!
"Lace rock is mined from ancient reef formations which are a non-renewable resource (dead). Live rock is a living and renewable resource of vast quantity/potential."