Adding LR to existing tank

TravisC · 01/02/2009, 01:15 PM

I just transported some LR from about an hour away from another tank.

I don't think there would be any die off from being out of the water for only an hour.

Should I keep the LR in a seperate tank and let it cycle before putting it into my main tank?

MalHavoc · 01/02/2009, 01:35 PM

How much LR, and how big is the main tank that it's going into? It may not matter if it's only a small amount.

reefworm · 01/02/2009, 01:36 PM

did you wrap the rock in some wet towels/paper? I agree that little if anything would have died off if the rock remained wet. lots of reef tops are exposed at low tide with no problems [of course, at that height they're populated with creatures that can tolerate that]. what's the ratio of what you're adding to what you already have? It's possible you'd get a mini-cycle, however unlikely, and if the new rock is no more than a quarter or so of what you've got now [at a guess] you should be fine. nanos being what they are, however, there's certainly no harm in what you suggest as far as a separate tank and check water quality over a few days to see if it is cycling.

TravisC · 01/02/2009, 01:48 PM

29 Gal. tank.

and about 20-25lbs of rock.

I kept them in a styrofoam cooler with a lil bit of water. The rocks were still very moist when I got home.

wizzbane15 · 01/02/2009, 02:00 PM

Should be fine. I would just put it in.

Aquarist007 · 01/02/2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TravisC
29 Gal. tank.

and about 20-25lbs of rock.

I kept them in a styrofoam cooler with a lil bit of water. The rocks were still very moist when I got home.

I would not add 20-25 lbs of live rock to an established mixed reef tank all at once.
Rather 5lbs a week just to be sure of no ammonia spikes

TravisC · 01/02/2009, 04:22 PM

I opted to put it in a rubbermaid container for a few days with a powerhead to be safe.

Thanks for the input everyone.

PS: There are no corals in the 29Gal yet...just some inverts and a clown.

wab · 01/02/2009, 04:26 PM

I agree If you have the space some where else load it slowly. a tub with a power head is all you need. good luck

Aquarist007 · 01/02/2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wab
I agree If you have the space some where else load it slowly. a tub with a power head is all you need. good luck

I'd also put a heater in there to protect any life on the live rock since it came from an established tank.

01/02/2009, 01:15 PM	#1
TravisC Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 151	Adding LR to existing tank I just transported some LR from about an hour away from another tank. I don't think there would be any die off from being out of the water for only an hour. Should I keep the LR in a seperate tank and let it cycle before putting it into my main tank? __________________ BC29 Nano Mixed Reef

01/02/2009, 01:35 PM	#2
MalHavoc Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 10,850	How much LR, and how big is the main tank that it's going into? It may not matter if it's only a small amount. __________________ Jason "Empathy, he once had decided, must be limited to herbivores or anyhow omnivores who could depart from a meat diet. Because, ultimately, the empathic gift blurred the boundaries between hunter and victim, between the successful and the defeated." -- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K Dick

01/02/2009, 01:36 PM	#3
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	did you wrap the rock in some wet towels/paper? I agree that little if anything would have died off if the rock remained wet. lots of reef tops are exposed at low tide with no problems [of course, at that height they're populated with creatures that can tolerate that]. what's the ratio of what you're adding to what you already have? It's possible you'd get a mini-cycle, however unlikely, and if the new rock is no more than a quarter or so of what you've got now [at a guess] you should be fine. nanos being what they are, however, there's certainly no harm in what you suggest as far as a separate tank and check water quality over a few days to see if it is cycling. __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

01/02/2009, 01:48 PM	#4
TravisC Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 151	29 Gal. tank. and about 20-25lbs of rock. I kept them in a styrofoam cooler with a lil bit of water. The rocks were still very moist when I got home. __________________ BC29 Nano Mixed Reef

01/02/2009, 02:00 PM	#5
wizzbane15 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Chicago SW suburb Posts: 283	Should be fine. I would just put it in. __________________ ...ancient Chinese Proverb: keeping big fishtank is not hobby, but addiction. 125gal AG, dual overflows; ReefKeeper Elite Controlled [currently have 7 modules on-line] Custom built 48" x 16" x 16 Current Tank Info: 125g mixed reef

01/02/2009, 04:22 PM	#7
TravisC Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 151	I opted to put it in a rubbermaid container for a few days with a powerhead to be safe. Thanks for the input everyone. PS: There are no corals in the 29Gal yet...just some inverts and a clown. __________________ BC29 Nano Mixed Reef

01/02/2009, 04:26 PM	#8
wab Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: nj Posts: 512	I agree If you have the space some where else load it slowly. a tub with a power head is all you need. good luck __________________ 1 year plus and still I DON'T KNOW!!!! LOL Current Tank Info: 45 high 30 breeder sump/refuge diy