Adding rock to an established system ....

asl4me76 · 02/08/2010, 02:20 PM

I am currently running a 40gal tank. I am wanting to get some more rock. However, I am looking at getting some rock from MarcoRocks.com. I have never added "non live rock" to my tank before. I am curious as to if it is ok to do this with an established tank and not kick off a cycle as I already have a few fish and some corals in there.

I will be seeding the marco rock with rock that is already in the system. Let me know!

cdbias2 · 02/08/2010, 03:02 PM

The Marco may go through a small algae cycle, but nothing detrimental to your tank.

mayjong · 02/08/2010, 03:05 PM

i added 25lb marcorocks to my established tank a month ago. no spike at all.

lordofthereef · 02/08/2010, 04:06 PM

IMO it all depends on how much of the new rock you want to add and how much established rock you already have. If you are doing more than a 15-20% increase I wouldn't do it all at once.

Tang-A · 02/08/2010, 04:33 PM

Just remember that some people have bigger tanks compared to your 40 gallon tank and thus have a bigger margin of error. In small tanks your margin of error is also small so be very careful. That said don't over do it. GL

asl4me76 · 02/08/2010, 11:45 PM

I was thinking of adding roughly 50lbs and using 2 good sized rocks to seed it with??

meco65 · 02/09/2010, 12:36 AM

I have a 20 Gal that I added about 10 lbs of base rock to, it only had about 10 lbs of LR in the tank and I did not have any truble out of it.

OneDayMatt · 02/09/2010, 12:49 AM

Marco rock is "dry" rock, so I really don't see a problem. I might throw it into a plastic tub and run a powerhead through it for a few days just to clear off the dust though.

robs.mark · 02/09/2010, 05:27 AM

just make sure the live rock is cured and you should be fine.

akunochi · 02/09/2010, 07:07 AM

It's not LR though it would be DR. Since DR is dead and dry I don't see how it could cause any problems. The spike associated with adding rock is usually from things dieing and the bacteria readjusting itself.

dubdlee · 02/09/2010, 09:22 AM

I don't see it doing anything to your tank. I have a 29 and mine was fine after I added 20 lbs to it.

FranktheTankTx · 02/09/2010, 09:28 AM

50 pounds huh? Stackin' it in tight. You can add it all at once... nothing is going to happen. I'd make sure it's clean first or you'll have one milky looking tank for a day or so.

seanmc980 · 02/09/2010, 09:48 AM

I'd cook it first. Theirs no telling whats in "dead rock". I bought 40 lbs of DR from BRS and I'm cooking it right now. I have been dunking with full water change every week and you'd be amazed at the stuff coming out of these rocks. I'm at 2 months now and still pulling a lot of junk from the rocks. If I did it all over again I would have gave them a vinegar bath for a few days.

02/08/2010, 02:20 PM	#1
asl4me76 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southeast Oklahoma Posts: 575	Adding rock to an established system .... I am currently running a 40gal tank. I am wanting to get some more rock. However, I am looking at getting some rock from MarcoRocks.com. I have never added "non live rock" to my tank before. I am curious as to if it is ok to do this with an established tank and not kick off a cycle as I already have a few fish and some corals in there. I will be seeding the marco rock with rock that is already in the system. Let me know!

02/08/2010, 03:05 PM	#3
mayjong Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 2,426	i added 25lb marcorocks to my established tank a month ago. no spike at all. __________________ No Tanks... I'm out! still lurking, though...

02/08/2010, 04:06 PM	#4
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	IMO it all depends on how much of the new rock you want to add and how much established rock you already have. If you are doing more than a 15-20% increase I wouldn't do it all at once. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

02/09/2010, 12:49 AM	#8
OneDayMatt Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 122	Marco rock is "dry" rock, so I really don't see a problem. I might throw it into a plastic tub and run a powerhead through it for a few days just to clear off the dust though. __________________ [I miss the little red house]

02/09/2010, 05:27 AM	#9
robs.mark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 1,461	just make sure the live rock is cured and you should be fine. __________________ knowledge is power! Current Tank Info: Lagoon

02/08/2010, 03:02 PM	#2
cdbias2 Appalachian Reef Society Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alum Creek, WV (No more) Posts: 1,433	The Marco may go through a small algae cycle, but nothing detrimental to your tank.

02/08/2010, 04:33 PM	#5
Tang-A Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Northern CA Posts: 65	Just remember that some people have bigger tanks compared to your 40 gallon tank and thus have a bigger margin of error. In small tanks your margin of error is also small so be very careful. That said don't over do it. GL

02/08/2010, 11:45 PM	#6
asl4me76 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southeast Oklahoma Posts: 575	I was thinking of adding roughly 50lbs and using 2 good sized rocks to seed it with??

02/09/2010, 12:36 AM	#7
meco65 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,603	I have a 20 Gal that I added about 10 lbs of base rock to, it only had about 10 lbs of LR in the tank and I did not have any truble out of it.

02/09/2010, 07:07 AM	#10
akunochi Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 168	It's not LR though it would be DR. Since DR is dead and dry I don't see how it could cause any problems. The spike associated with adding rock is usually from things dieing and the bacteria readjusting itself.

02/09/2010, 09:22 AM	#11
dubdlee Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 88	I don't see it doing anything to your tank. I have a 29 and mine was fine after I added 20 lbs to it.

02/09/2010, 09:28 AM	#12
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	50 pounds huh? Stackin' it in tight. You can add it all at once... nothing is going to happen. I'd make sure it's clean first or you'll have one milky looking tank for a day or so. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

02/09/2010, 09:48 AM	#13
seanmc980 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 97	I'd cook it first. Theirs no telling whats in "dead rock". I bought 40 lbs of DR from BRS and I'm cooking it right now. I have been dunking with full water change every week and you'd be amazed at the stuff coming out of these rocks. I'm at 2 months now and still pulling a lot of junk from the rocks. If I did it all over again I would have gave them a vinegar bath for a few days.