Live Rock

[sankysyuck]

Hey, I'm new to saltwater, but not fish in general. I have a 60 gallon Discus/Freshwater Stingray tank, so I know what I'm doing with fish and have done a lot of research on saltwater. I've recently bought a 50 gallon tank that is cycled and ready, all the equipment is bought and set up. But I need some info on Live rock. Is it really worth it? Do you need strong lighting? Do you need to do anything special to it or just add it to a tank. Any info would be much appreciated!
Thanks

 

[tizzo]

Live rock is so beneficial that once you establish 2 lbs per gallon, no other means of filtration is necessary. (not including the skimmer of course.) No special lighting is required for LR, only corals and anemones.
The only thing you need to do with it is make sure it's cured. For this you will need nitrate, nitrite and ammonia tests. If you order it online then it is "pre" cured but you will need to send it through its mini cycle again. If you plan on ordering on line, say so and someone can provide a link on how to cure your new LR!! (if you need that info)

 

[sankysyuck]

Ok, but can you explain what kind of mini cycle it goes through.
I have all that testing equipment.
Would it still help if you used about 25 pounds in a 50 gal. tank with filters and a protein skimmer. Also, does it benefit the fish in any way, and are there anything that u can't keep live rock with?
Thanks

 

[sankysyuck]

Also, do you need certain water conditions for live rock. Right now my water is
Ph - 8.3
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 20
Alkalinity - 280
Temperture - 78F

 

[mudplayerx]

If the rock is cured you can put it right into the tank. If it is not cured, you will have to scrub it clean with a stiff brish. Scrub off anything squishy, black, rubbery,etc... basically anything that you can scrub off, do so. Then put the liverock in a tub with a powerhead and seawater. Let it sit for a week. After a week smell it to see if it smells like the ocean. If it does it can go into the tank, if it smells foul, scub it again and repeat another week.
Licerock needs salinity comparative to tank water, but will do fine at room temperature (while it is curing) provided you don't live in an extremely cold climate. ph should be around 8.2.