Live Rock Question
- Thread starter clown_nut
- Start date
aidos
Member
I'm only new but from what i have ready, and been told by my LFS is that you will need to add live rock slowly and the amount this will depend on the size of ur tank.
what happens is that a percentage of the bacteria on the LR will die off, and it will take time for the living bacteria on the LR to build up numbers and cope with the bioload (if thats the correct word) of the dead bacteria. this is wat is termed as cycling and you will get a nitrite and ammonium spike.
once this spike has returned to the required paramter then you can add more live rock, but again you will need to do by parts at a time, NOT the entire amount that you wish to have, or you could spike ur system again and kill off all ur benificial bacteria contained in the live rock. this is also why it is important to not add all ur fish at once as the tanks systems will need to adapt to the increase in bioload.
the best way to do this is buy the LR as you need it.
as for weather you can handle it, i'd say yes, but i'm not sure. i'd say that wearing gloves won't hurt either of ya.
what happens is that a percentage of the bacteria on the LR will die off, and it will take time for the living bacteria on the LR to build up numbers and cope with the bioload (if thats the correct word) of the dead bacteria. this is wat is termed as cycling and you will get a nitrite and ammonium spike.
once this spike has returned to the required paramter then you can add more live rock, but again you will need to do by parts at a time, NOT the entire amount that you wish to have, or you could spike ur system again and kill off all ur benificial bacteria contained in the live rock. this is also why it is important to not add all ur fish at once as the tanks systems will need to adapt to the increase in bioload.
the best way to do this is buy the LR as you need it.
as for weather you can handle it, i'd say yes, but i'm not sure. i'd say that wearing gloves won't hurt either of ya.
greatfullreefer
Active Member
Are you talking a new tank with no livestock or an established tank?
spicyballs
Member
I agree with aidos... adding live rock to an existing tank with live organisms can be risky, depending on how much rock you're looking to add, how large your tank is, and how many fish you have in it already. best option is to cure the rock in a separate container and then add the rocks into the aquarium. that way you can be sure the live rock will not add any ammonia or other chemicals into your aquarium. in terms of gloves, it's not necessary but if you have an abundance of visible living organisms on it, like sponges and what not, it's a good idea to wear gloves. in terms of stacking rock, just make sure they're secure... some people also put cut pvc pipes on the bottom.. the cut pvc pipe can be 2-4 inches or whatever you like.. basically, you put the pvc into the sand and then place live rock on top. this keep the live rock above the sandbed lessening any build of detritus on the sandbed.. i don't do it that way. it's just preference.
spicyballs
Member
1 -1.5 lbs per gallon is a very good bet... the more dense the rock you use (fiji) you can go with closer to 1.5 lbs per gallon (but this is optional of course).. the more porous the rock, the less you can use.. closer to 1 lb per gallon.. but like i said, it's all up to you.. depending on how high you want to pile the rocks and how much you can afford... i have a lil more than 1.5 lbs per gallon.. and piled them up to about 6 inches from the top.. i just like the background it makes with a wall of live rock.. and i can prop more corals on them.