Live Rock

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steve620

Guest
How long does it take for rock in a sump to turn into live rock ?
 

mr. limpid

Active Member
Bacteria will start growing on it soon after you put it in your tank, as long as there is a bacteria source already established in the tank. The amount of bacteria will depend on the bio load in your tank, basically bacteria will continue to multiply until it has equaled out the load vs bacteria to consume it.
 

slice

Active Member
It is true that bacteria will begin growing on the surface quickly, but if that is all you mean by "Live", then PVC pipe will do the job.
True "Live Rock" has more than just surface bacteria and depends on the density of the rock. I *think* I read somewhere for both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial to fully populate rock one should allow about 6 months. There are those here who can talk ad nauseum
on this and hopefully, will drop by and give us their wisdom.
 

travelerjp98

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///t/388160/live-rock#post_3421384
It is true that bacteria will begin growing on the surface quickly, but if that is all you mean by "Live", then PVC pipe will do the job.
True "Live Rock" has more than just surface bacteria and depends on the density of the rock. I *think* I read somewhere for both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial to fully populate rock one should allow about 6 months. There are those here who can talk ad nauseum
on this and hopefully, will drop by and give us their wisdom.
Agreed 100%
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
If you are talking strictly nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. The speed in which the nitrifying bacteria can colonize the rock depends the availability of nutrient rich water passing over it. As far as dinitrification via anaerobic bacteria that proses is slow developing if it happens at all. Variables are the porosity of the rock and the speed of advection. True live rock will also harbor, algae, sponges, and other invertebrates. IMO there is no set time frame for the development of true live rock
BTW I hope this post is not to nauseating
 

kiefers

Active Member
okay here is a question, lets say one buys dry rock and put it in their sump with no light? Will it to indeed get bacteria on it as in the DT?
 

slice

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/388160/live-rock#post_3421613
okay here is a question, lets say one buys dry rock and put it in their sump with no light? Will it to indeed get bacteria on it as in the DT?
Let's hear what others say, but note that it doesn't take light to establish the cycle in new tanks, so I would say yes, the dry rock would indeed "get bacteria on it".
 

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///t/388160/live-rock#post_3421615
Let's hear what others say, but note that it doesn't take light to establish the cycle in new tanks, so I would say yes, the dry rock would indeed "get bacteria on it".
Good morning. The tank is already cycled....and continuing
 

slice

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/388160/live-rock#post_3421618
Good morning. The tank is already cycled....and continuing
Good Morning and Happy Friday!
I thought the question was "will dry rock turn live in the absence of light". My answer is yes, citing the practice of establishing the cycle in the absence of light as support to the claim.
Did I understand the question incorrectly?
 

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///t/388160/live-rock#post_3421619
Good Morning and Happy Friday!
I thought the question was "will dry rock turn live in the absence of light". My answer is yes, citing the practice of establishing the cycle in the absence of light as support to the claim.
Did I understand the question incorrectly?
no.....I got up early to get kids off to school. It's raining out so I took them to the bus stop and waited till the bus came. So in short, I'm not really awake yet.
So no you understood but I misinterpreted the answer
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/388160/live-rock#post_3421627
no.....I got up early to get kids off to school. It's raining out so I took them to the bus stop and waited till the bus came. So in short, I'm not really awake yet.
So no you understood but I misinterpreted the answer
what the hell did you just say ????
anyway
The bacteria we grow in our aquariums for nitrification and di nitrification are species of nitrosomonas and nitrobacter. They are obligate chemolithotrophs, which means they use salts as an energy source. They oxidize ammonia and nitrites for their energy and carbon dioxide for their carbon needs. That being said, they are not dependent on light to grow.
There are in fact bacteria colony’s that do depend on light for growth in our aquariums. These bacteria are photolithographic and lithotrophic. They use photosynthesis as their souse of energy. One example is the much hated cyanobacteria
 

kiefers

Active Member
Did you just call me an obligate chemolithotroph? Lol..... (now I'm ganna take that to work and make some nurses think. "Your such an obligate chemolithotroph!!) HAHAHA.
As far as what I said in the last post............ pssssh I have no darn clue! Got a power nap so I'm good for the rest of the day.
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Putting live rock in the dark is a shame, when you have so many organisms and algaes that depend on photosynthesis in order to maintain homeostasis. Putting base rock in the dark (like in filters and non-lit sumps) over time it will be colonized by bacteria and filter feeders, but will lack any photosynthetic organisms living on the surface. This does not say that base rock can't harbor bacterial and algal cysts which will bloom and grow when exposed to light.
Also, base rock and live rock are (and should be) really porous. Toxins, chemicals, and even phosphate can leach into live rock over time. When phosphate is leached into a rock over a period of time and then put into clean water, there will be massive algal growth on the rock because of the phosphate in the rock is being leached out. (researched from second hand research) I can provide a link if needed. It will just take me forever to find it. )
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
I think the OP needs to clarify what he means by live rock. Is he asking about a multi-faceted medium for filtration or a platform for a multitude of organisms?
 
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