Live Rock info needed ASAP!!!!!!!

imclownfish

imclownfish

Member
Hi,
I had a 29 gallon tank already filled with fish, corals and I decided to drill it to add a sump to the system. I took everything out and decided to put the fish and corals in a spare 29 gallont tank, I put the LR in a bucket with bubbler and heater. The heater was very old and it could not be submerged. Unfortunately, the heater somehow slipped when I was not there and the water in the bucket got extremely hot. How much heat does it take to kill nitrifying bacteria on Live Rock? Did i just "kill" my live rock???
 
imclownfish

imclownfish

Member
im not sure exactly but it was hot enough to be steaming. A very hot bath id say. It started smelling, that's how I knew something was wrong. It was like at steaming temperature for maybe 20 min. But the temperature was increasing for 2 hours.
 
jeff10

jeff10

Member
I saw a small worm type thing crawl like out of my live rock and then 5 minutes later, he was gone? it was pinkish color and very small, what is it?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

On the critter I don’t know, but you didn’t have to use a heater on the rock at all, just cover with saltwater and keep a power head on to churn the water for movement.. What a bummer….is there allot of dead critters in the bottom of the tub? Does the water smell of death? If not then your rock should be alright.
If you have a bunch of dead critters in the tub or a dead rotten smell, then you need to cure your rock before you use it again.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
i believe temperature effects bacteria in two ways one stops its growth and one kills it, IMO you would need a temperature of around 160 f to kill your bacteria
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
LOL...the worm sounds like it could be a bristle worm
I have always heard (read) that you should keep LR in SW (of course) with a powerhead AND a heater.....I don;t think you want to boil it LOL....but I also do not think you want it to freeze either
 
imclownfish

imclownfish

Member
well, im pretty sure the remperature wasnt 160F, but i havent checked whats dead at the bottom yet. Their was a bed smell yesterday, like cooked crabs, but today its gone, i think the smell might have ben the heater. IF their is a lot of dead things, is curinhg necesssary then?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by imclownfish
http:///forum/post/3260862
well, im pretty sure the remperature wasnt 160F, but i havent checked whats dead at the bottom yet. Their was a bed smell yesterday, like cooked crabs, but today its gone, i think the smell might have ben the heater. IF their is a lot of dead things, is curinhg necesssary then?

Unless it is very cold (60 and below) a heater isn't needed. Most homes are warmer than that.
While you may see some dead things on the bottom, there are allot more hidden deep in the rock in crevices you can't possibly get to.
So yes, if you see dead critters on the outside it is real good probability dead things are deep inside as well. The decaying dead critters cause can an ammonia spike....depends on how much is dead to determine how much of a spike, and since we don't know, I take the worst case scenario and error on the part of what is safest for your fish tank.
 
imclownfish

imclownfish

Member
ok, ill cure it, i saw a dead crab (YAY!, its about the size of a toonie, ive been hunting for it), a dead worm, and i know for sure some dead coral(mushrroms which were attached to rock. looks like ill be curing.
 
imclownfish

imclownfish

Member
uhh, how do you cure Live Rock?, i know there's articles, but i would like to know some of the ways you guys like to do it.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by imclownfish
http:///forum/post/3260872
uhh, how do you cure Live Rock?, i know there's articles, but i would like to know some of the ways you guys like to do it.

I always bought mine already cured...however I read you just put in in a tub with a power head and saltwater and let it sit until all dead that is going to die are gone, change the water once a week, to clear the stuff off the rock give it a shake in the water.

How many weeks it takes I don't remember.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
You test it as you would your tank....
I put mine in a tote with SW, powerhead and heater....test the water...when ammonia goes up, I do a water change....test again....and continue doing that until all levels of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates reach 0
then it should be okay to add to tank
 
jeff10

jeff10

Member
So what about the worms that look like centipedes (I am guessing brittle worms). My live rock I purchased (told it was cured) had a ton in it. Honest guess, Id say about 20 that I could see. Are these dangerous, they are not big and they are in a 40 Gal. Tank.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by Jeff10
http:///forum/post/3261437
So what about the worms that look like centipedes (I am guessing brittle worms). My live rock I purchased (told it was cured) had a ton in it. Honest guess, Id say about 20 that I could see. Are these dangerous, they are not big and they are in a 40 Gal. Tank.
Bristle worms....DO NOT touch them....they are good for the tank as far as waste eaters, but the bristles will sting you...and from what I hear it hurts
 
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