Live rock Qs

[hondotech]

Currently have a 55 gal tank with maybe 10 lbs of live rock and 40 lbs of live sand with 3 fish and 4 inverts.
Looking to add 48-50 more pounds of cured live rock.
Am I going to crash my system trying this?
Any pointers or thoughts?

 

[acekjd83]

add it slowly... even cured rock needs a little time to adjust to the subtle differences in its new aquarium and may cause fluctuations if added all at once.

 

[nm reef]

In a established system I'd add a piece at a time of well cured LR....if possible hand select each piece and insure it is well cured. Or you could buy a large amount and cure it yourself...then slowly add it to your tank. I prefer to hand select individual pieces myself.

 

[hondotech]

Was looking at buying it in bulk (i.e. one big 50 lb box), not real sure how I could add it in one piece at a time unless it will keep in the box (materials) it was shipped in.

 

[sato]

It generally come sshipped in a cardboard box wrapped in plastic. WHen shipped in bulk it usually isnt cured so adding 50lbs of uncured rock into a tank will mean it will take awhile to cycle because of the amount of organics that are going to be broken down before the tank is ready.
I agree with NM Reef about hand picking each rock on your own from your lfs.
How much would it suck to order a box of 50lbs and end up getting a box with 2 25lb peices?

 

[bdhough]

To do something like this youll ahve to get rid of the live stock in your tank for a month. You could set up a rubber maid tub with a mechanical filter or power heads to stir the water and cure the rock in there. But do not buy bulk and add it all at once.

 

[hondotech]

Bulk price was around $2.50 per pound. LFS price is somewhere around $5-6 a pound if I remember correctly.
Im thinking I need to find a new LFS. Getting so much conflicting information from them and this forum//website.

 

[clown'in]

HELLO EVERYONE
I JUST ORDERED 25LBS FROM THIS WEBSITE AND WHEN IT CAME IT WAS AWSOME THEY WERE JUST THE RIGHT SIZE. ABOUT 4 TO 5 INCH PIECES. SOME WITH HOLES AND IRREGULAR SHAPES. AND I CURED IT IN A SPARE 20 GAL I HAD JUST EMPTIED FOR 2 AND A HALF WEEKS AND JUST ADDED IT TO MY 55 GAL AND IT LOOKS GREAT
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CHOICE:jumping: