Seeding Dry rock

gusto1 · 10/20/2008, 01:57 PM

I just set up a 150 with 120lbs of dry figi rock from Bulk reef supply, Now I put it in the tank and of course thats the only thing in there (besides saltwater) and I just wanted to know whats the best way to seed these rocks? Should I get a few pieces of live rock and let the tank cycle for 4 to 6 weeks? I've heard of people just starting the bacteria with a cocktail shrimp and getting coraline plugs and some pods. is this a good way to do it? I just dont want to introduce any unwanted hitchhikers or aipastia.

thanks Gus

IslandCrow · 10/20/2008, 02:36 PM

The best way to seed base rock is with live rock. You could also do it with live sand, but I believe it takes much longer. Chances are you're going to introduce aiptasia (or something similar) at some point no matter how careful you are. I certainly understand your concern, but there are far more beneficial organisms that are imported with live rock than pests. I really think you just have to take the good with the bad.

gusto1 · 10/20/2008, 05:38 PM

yeah, I guess your right because I do plan to buy corals from other reefers and will probably at some point get a few pest or 2..

Blazer88 · 10/20/2008, 06:56 PM

I used 60 pounds from BRS and mixed it with about 15-20 from my old tank. I just filled up my new tank and stocked it right away, no cycle from what I could tell. I did run the rock from BRS in a trashcan with a heater, ph, and skimmer for 5 days before the transfer but the rock was quite clean to begin with.

Logzor · 10/20/2008, 07:01 PM

I ran my BRS supply rock in a tub for about a month in salt water. The rock has been in my 90 for 12 days down and so far it is testing zero ammonia.

I do not have a light on the tank because it is on backorder but it gets plenty of natural sunlight and light from the tank next to it. So far a film of green algae is on the silicone.

I put some live sand in the sump since I am running a BB tank. Not sure if it has done anything, though. I put a few snails in the tank 5 days ago...all still doing fine.

I wonder if I will actually go though a cycle or not?

I am hesitant to add live rock because I do not want to transfer pests over.

Does not having a light slow things WAY down? Does the fact that the snails do fine mean anything?

What everyone says about cycling, waiting x weeks, adding x amount of live rock, etc seems to be based on speculation and from their own experience. So, is there any real way to test if a tank is ready for VERY small additions of fish / coral or a way to measure bacteria levels that sustain life?

Would it be appropriate, after say 4 weeks, to add one small coral every 4 days and 1 fish every two weeks?

10/20/2008, 01:57 PM	#1
gusto1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 622	Seeding Dry rock I just set up a 150 with 120lbs of dry figi rock from Bulk reef supply, Now I put it in the tank and of course thats the only thing in there (besides saltwater) and I just wanted to know whats the best way to seed these rocks? Should I get a few pieces of live rock and let the tank cycle for 4 to 6 weeks? I've heard of people just starting the bacteria with a cocktail shrimp and getting coraline plugs and some pods. is this a good way to do it? I just dont want to introduce any unwanted hitchhikers or aipastia. thanks Gus __________________ Gus Current Tank Info: IM Fusion 20 Gallon

10/20/2008, 02:36 PM	#2
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	The best way to seed base rock is with live rock. You could also do it with live sand, but I believe it takes much longer. Chances are you're going to introduce aiptasia (or something similar) at some point no matter how careful you are. I certainly understand your concern, but there are far more beneficial organisms that are imported with live rock than pests. I really think you just have to take the good with the bad. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

10/20/2008, 05:38 PM	#3
gusto1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 622	yeah, I guess your right because I do plan to buy corals from other reefers and will probably at some point get a few pest or 2.. __________________ Gus Current Tank Info: IM Fusion 20 Gallon

10/20/2008, 06:56 PM	#4
Blazer88 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,415	I used 60 pounds from BRS and mixed it with about 15-20 from my old tank. I just filled up my new tank and stocked it right away, no cycle from what I could tell. I did run the rock from BRS in a trashcan with a heater, ph, and skimmer for 5 days before the transfer but the rock was quite clean to begin with.

10/20/2008, 07:01 PM	#5
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	I ran my BRS supply rock in a tub for about a month in salt water. The rock has been in my 90 for 12 days down and so far it is testing zero ammonia. I do not have a light on the tank because it is on backorder but it gets plenty of natural sunlight and light from the tank next to it. So far a film of green algae is on the silicone. I put some live sand in the sump since I am running a BB tank. Not sure if it has done anything, though. I put a few snails in the tank 5 days ago...all still doing fine. I wonder if I will actually go though a cycle or not? I am hesitant to add live rock because I do not want to transfer pests over. Does not having a light slow things WAY down? Does the fact that the snails do fine mean anything? What everyone says about cycling, waiting x weeks, adding x amount of live rock, etc seems to be based on speculation and from their own experience. So, is there any real way to test if a tank is ready for VERY small additions of fish / coral or a way to measure bacteria levels that sustain life? Would it be appropriate, after say 4 weeks, to add one small coral every 4 days and 1 fish every two weeks?