help with live rock

msfishtank

New Member
Ive been running a tank for a couple of weeks and i bought some live rock... do I just place the live rock in the tank? Or do is there a specific procedure?
 

fuzzywuzzy

Member
OK if the rock is cured you can put it straight in but if has a wierd smell to it you have to cure the rock....if you have nothing in the tank you can put it in there but if you have livestock you have to cure it outside the tank....because ammonia levels will get to high
 

cain420

Active Member
you can place it in a separate container such as a rubbermaid tote (new and un-used)...
simply use ro water if available and put a power head or 2 in there with it.. do 50 percent water changes until the ammonia reads zero.
Then be sure to test for nitrites! If you find nitrites, do a 100% waterchange and let sit for a few days and test for ammonia again... when ammonia reaches 0, it should be ready to go..
this will get you started and if i forgot anything, i am sure someone will jump in to help..
however, if there is no livestock in the tank, u can just put it in the tank to start the cycle.. you will want to cycle before adding anything to the tank, as the ammonia is VERY toxic to the livestock, second highest toxin is the nitrites, and least toxic of the 3 is nitrates, but i bet u already knew that from reading a book or two..
 

cain420

Active Member
oh yea.. it says u have had it running for a couple of weeks.. i missed that part somehow.. have you finished cycling?
 

msfishtank

New Member
yes the cycle was complete.. But I feel like ever since I added the live rock the cycle was reset. But, I have four clownfish in there, and they look just fine. They are swimming around the little explorers they are. Oh.. and one more question.. I have three Pink Tip Haitian anemonies in my tank, and a friend bought me a chocolate chip starfish.. and I know that they aren't reef safe.. but will it kill my anemonies? Or will the starfish just eat shrimp? Thank you so much for the info and curing live rock.
(oh, and I also have three yellow tangs in my tank)
 

msfishtank

New Member
oh, and is there a specific way I should acclimate this starfish?? Or do I just temperature acclimate it? I read somewhere that starfish should not be in contact with air.. but I don't want to dump the water in the bag of the starfish because the tanks in my LFS did not look very healthy.. they had algae everywhere... so how would I go about adding this guy to my tank? (That is, if it won't kill my anemonies)
 

mikeyjer

Active Member
Originally Posted by msfishtank
oh, and is there a specific way I should acclimate this starfish?? Or do I just temperature acclimate it? I read somewhere that starfish should not be in contact with air.. but I don't want to dump the water in the bag of the starfish because the tanks in my LFS did not look very healthy.. they had algae everywhere... so how would I go about adding this guy to my tank? (That is, if it won't kill my anemonies)
The best way to acclimate it would be temp first then drip acclimate procedure that's being said on the site. Read up acclimation on this site, it'll give you how to and everything. I don't keep star fish nor do I keep anemone so I can't help you there. :happyfish
 

mikeyjer

Active Member
Originally Posted by cain420
you can place it in a separate container such as a rubbermaid tote (new and un-used)...
simply use ro water if available and put a power head or 2 in there with it.. do 50 percent water changes until the ammonia reads zero.
Then be sure to test for nitrites! If you find nitrites, do a 100% waterchange and let sit for a few days and test for ammonia again... when ammonia reaches 0, it should be ready to go..
this will get you started and if i forgot anything, i am sure someone will jump in to help..
however, if there is no livestock in the tank, u can just put it in the tank to start the cycle.. you will want to cycle before adding anything to the tank, as the ammonia is VERY toxic to the livestock, second highest toxin is the nitrites, and least toxic of the 3 is nitrates, but i bet u already knew that from reading a book or two..
Not just plain RO water, it needs to be pre-mixed with salt. Where did you get this curing process from? Was never told to do 100% water changes on curing ever!!! :happyfish
 

msfishtank

New Member
How do I feed the starfish?? (its a chocolate chip starfish) and... does anyone know if it will harm my anemonies?? I just put it in my tank today, and it has been moving around tonight.. so I guess it is doing ok?? :help:
 
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