Adding Dry rock to my 6 week old aquarium

cnl83 · 08/30/2010, 11:14 AM

I have a good bit of live rock in my tank, and I have been having this rock outside my door drying in the sun for about 2 years. I picked it up from a dry river bed. I realized that it would go nicely in my tank, but I dont know if it is suitable for my tank or what it will do to a cycling tank.

The backside of the rock has a green film on it so I know I need to clean the rock up. Should I soak the rock in clorox and let it dry out for a few days? Help a noob! lol

greech · 08/30/2010, 12:19 PM

Looks like texas holey rock which does not have much porosity to it. Would not be my choice for the purposes of bilogical filtration. However, if you give it a good cleaning, it should be fine to add to tour tank. the other option is to cycle it in a separate container with a small piece of your LR.

gweston · 08/30/2010, 12:21 PM

A few things I would do:

-If the rock is silicate rock. Don't use it. Silicates are bad for salt water tanks. Probably more viable for a freshwater tank, but I'd ask an expert to be sure. Aragonite sand and rocks are ideal.
-Bleaching to clean rocks can work, but it requires an good wash, and then needs to be completely air dried to ensure the bleach evaporates out completely.
-The algae on the rock (green stuff) will rot if not cleaned up or cycled out when put in a tank.

I would cycle any rock you want to use outside of the tank. It is very risky to put into an established tank with living critters in it. Get a brute bin, container, etc. Give it a heater, powerhead, and saltwater. Seed it with a chunk of liverock. Let it completely cycle as you would let a new tank cycle.

DustinB · 08/30/2010, 01:59 PM

Sell it to a local freshwater guy and find some good live rock on clist or a local reef club.

cnl83 · 08/30/2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DustinB

Sell it to a local freshwater guy and find some good live rock on clist or a local reef club.

I have a good bit of live rock already. I just thought this one rock would create the last peak I want to make with my rock. No biggie, I rather not take the chance.

Vin7250 · 08/30/2010, 02:38 PM

your tank looks mint as is dont ruin it with a piece of unknown rock!!! JMO

cnl83 · 08/30/2010, 02:41 PM

Im not, I apprecaite the direction on this!

Chad

DustinB · 08/30/2010, 03:31 PM

I love it when people ask for info and completely ignore it.

cdeboard · 08/30/2010, 03:35 PM

I dont see that he ignored it? He decided not to use it which is what everyone recommended. Even took compliments based on his current rockscape.

cnl83 · 08/30/2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DustinB

I love it when people ask for info and completely ignore it.

I didnt ignore your advise. What did you want me to say?

I apprecaite the advise that I am getting from these forums. You said sell it to get some good live rock. I replied and said I already have good live rock, I just wanted to put this one piece in there as a pinnacle in my tank. I just didnt quote you in my post man.

08/30/2010, 12:19 PM	#2
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	Looks like texas holey rock which does not have much porosity to it. Would not be my choice for the purposes of bilogical filtration. However, if you give it a good cleaning, it should be fine to add to tour tank. the other option is to cycle it in a separate container with a small piece of your LR. __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

08/30/2010, 02:41 PM	#7
cnl83 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 140	Im not, I apprecaite the direction on this! Chad __________________ 55 Gallon

08/30/2010, 03:35 PM	#9
cdeboard Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Grayson, KY Posts: 520	I dont see that he ignored it? He decided not to use it which is what everyone recommended. Even took compliments based on his current rockscape. __________________ CVRC Current Tank Info: 90g

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08/30/2010, 12:21 PM	#3
gweston Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Gardner, MA Posts: 961	A few things I would do: -If the rock is silicate rock. Don't use it. Silicates are bad for salt water tanks. Probably more viable for a freshwater tank, but I'd ask an expert to be sure. Aragonite sand and rocks are ideal. -Bleaching to clean rocks can work, but it requires an good wash, and then needs to be completely air dried to ensure the bleach evaporates out completely. -The algae on the rock (green stuff) will rot if not cleaned up or cycled out when put in a tank. I would cycle any rock you want to use outside of the tank. It is very risky to put into an established tank with living critters in it. Get a brute bin, container, etc. Give it a heater, powerhead, and saltwater. Seed it with a chunk of liverock. Let it completely cycle as you would let a new tank cycle.

08/30/2010, 01:59 PM	#4
DustinB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,532	Sell it to a local freshwater guy and find some good live rock on clist or a local reef club.

08/30/2010, 02:38 PM	#6
Vin7250 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Connecticut "The Big East" Posts: 1,144	your tank looks mint as is dont ruin it with a piece of unknown rock!!! JMO

08/30/2010, 03:31 PM	#8
DustinB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,532	I love it when people ask for info and completely ignore it.