Live Rock???

[leslie123]

I have a question, I have been doing a saltwater tank now for about 3 months. I bought some live rock from a local fish store, not sure how much. Well I don't have "things" growing on them as much as what ya'll are talking about on here. It did turn a nice purple color but no sponges or critters. It's just kind of blah looking. Do you suppose it's dying or something? Or did I just not get a good selection or does it take time? Everything else looks good in the tank, I have a clean up crew, a mushroom, a flower pot, 2 firefish, 1 clown, and 1 tang and a goby that likes to dig. But the rock doesn't look like I want it to, any ideas? Thanks!

 

[vkesu]

You need to keep calcium up to keep rock pretty and purple. I order good live rock. Like 50 or some pounds, and not all of it was wonderful. It is sometimes a hit and miss if you don't pick out each piece. Some items don't show up for a while. I've had a tank for 4 years and I still see something new once in a while! Keep looking, watch for die off, and watch at night with a flashlight (a lot of stuff comes out then too.)

 

[javajoe]

What exaclty does 'die off' look like? I just bought 40 pounds of LR last friday, and some of it has white stuff peeling off it. It looks kinda like skin peeling after a bad sunburn, for lack of a better description. Is this just calcium deposits from too much calcium in my water? or is there a problem with the rock? I would be really upset if it was dying allready!
Thanks- Joe

 

[diatom]

Leslie123~
what kinds of "things" are you looking for if you want corals and sponges etc, you might want to look at buying some gulf rock as opposed to buying South Pacific rock. It's more dense but has a lot more life on it.
[ November 22, 2001: Message edited by: Diatom ]

 

[leslie123]

How do you know the difference? What kind of rock do they sell on this web site? Is it good stuff?
Do you know how to get rid of green algae? It's all over the glass and the bottom, everywhere. I have snails and crabs and they are working over time. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the reply!

 

[bhav_88]

On the Algae, you need to be WAY more specific. There are like 800 species of Algae, and different ways to get rid of all of them. Hair algae, I suggest hermit crabs. Bubble, Emrald crabs. That flat stuff, definately snails. (Snails eat the hair and bubble too, but I don't think as well.)

 

[dburr]

My sponge took about 8 months to grow on my LR.
Be patient "stuff" will grow.

 

[big tuna]

check your water quality, sounds like nitrates could be high. try testing and do a water change. maybe cut back on lighting till you get under control.

 

[billyv]

Leslie123, make sure that your checking for the evil Nitrate and Nitrite. What and how much that grows on your lr might also depend on what supplements your adding to your tank. Calcium is very important for lr growth. It also takes time for these things to "appear". Some say that Weiss Black Powder helps these things appear, grow and thrive. But what I think you need most is a little more time and patience! Good luck.