Add LR to existing tank?

Cymonous · 07/17/2012, 11:23 AM

I have only two pieces of live rock sitting next to each other with a small gap between them. My tank has already been cycled and has a couple clowns. Can I add more LR or should I add something else? I want to make a bridge kind of setup so fish can swim in and around or hide under if need be.

Entropy · 07/17/2012, 11:29 AM

I would look for rock in an established tank (maybe someone local taking down their tank). If you can get the rock from an running tank and keep it in water while transfering there shouldn't be any issues. If you add it uncurred you will likely have another cycle.

How big is the tank?

Cymonous · 07/17/2012, 11:33 AM

The LR I got was from the fish store and was already in a tank. My tank is a 14Gallon Biocube.

Toxic45 · 07/17/2012, 11:37 AM

Adding live rock to an existing setup is always beneficial. Increasing your biological filter is one of the best things you can do to prolong the life of your fish. If you're going to add live rock, just make sure that is is cured live rock. Cured live rock has been sitting in a curing tank that allows for all the die off to take place. If you add uncured live rock to your tank, like Entropy has said, then the die off will occur in your tank and you will get an ammonia spike. As long as the rock has been cured then you should have no problems. Just make sure to ask your LFS if it is cured or uncured rock. Cured Fiji generally goes for around $8 per pound whereas uncured is significantly cheaper. Try to get your live rock to gallon ratio to 1lb per gallon. Anything above that is awesome. You'd be surprised how much live rock you can fit into a tank without it looking crowded with rock. Try to get a lot of little pieces instead of a few hulking pieces. This will increase the surface area of the rock and allow for more nitrosomona action.

Toxic45 · 07/17/2012, 11:40 AM

Oops, double post =P

Cymonous · 07/17/2012, 11:44 AM

Awesome. Thanks for the tips Toxic and Entropy. I will ask for some cured rock at the LFS then.

Entropy · 07/17/2012, 01:09 PM

Also look for light pieces. Live rock can have significantly different weights for the same size piece so if you are going to pay through the nose for cured live rock, cherry pick it for the biggest but lightest pieces and of course the most interesting looking. A lot of places have rubble rock tanks that can yield some good pieces for smaller tanks.

bacon09 · 07/17/2012, 01:24 PM

Agree with all of the above... and also make sure you check for mantis shrimp :/ I've found two in 1 month

07/17/2012, 11:23 AM	#1
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	Add LR to existing tank? I have only two pieces of live rock sitting next to each other with a small gap between them. My tank has already been cycled and has a couple clowns. Can I add more LR or should I add something else? I want to make a bridge kind of setup so fish can swim in and around or hide under if need be.

07/17/2012, 11:29 AM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	I would look for rock in an established tank (maybe someone local taking down their tank). If you can get the rock from an running tank and keep it in water while transfering there shouldn't be any issues. If you add it uncurred you will likely have another cycle. How big is the tank? __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

07/17/2012, 01:09 PM	#7
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Also look for light pieces. Live rock can have significantly different weights for the same size piece so if you are going to pay through the nose for cured live rock, cherry pick it for the biggest but lightest pieces and of course the most interesting looking. A lot of places have rubble rock tanks that can yield some good pieces for smaller tanks. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

07/17/2012, 11:33 AM	#3
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	The LR I got was from the fish store and was already in a tank. My tank is a 14Gallon Biocube.

07/17/2012, 11:37 AM	#4
Toxic45 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 73	Adding live rock to an existing setup is always beneficial. Increasing your biological filter is one of the best things you can do to prolong the life of your fish. If you're going to add live rock, just make sure that is is cured live rock. Cured live rock has been sitting in a curing tank that allows for all the die off to take place. If you add uncured live rock to your tank, like Entropy has said, then the die off will occur in your tank and you will get an ammonia spike. As long as the rock has been cured then you should have no problems. Just make sure to ask your LFS if it is cured or uncured rock. Cured Fiji generally goes for around $8 per pound whereas uncured is significantly cheaper. Try to get your live rock to gallon ratio to 1lb per gallon. Anything above that is awesome. You'd be surprised how much live rock you can fit into a tank without it looking crowded with rock. Try to get a lot of little pieces instead of a few hulking pieces. This will increase the surface area of the rock and allow for more nitrosomona action.

07/17/2012, 11:40 AM	#5
Toxic45 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 73	Oops, double post =P

07/17/2012, 11:44 AM	#6
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	Awesome. Thanks for the tips Toxic and Entropy. I will ask for some cured rock at the LFS then.

07/17/2012, 01:24 PM	#8
bacon09 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 63	Agree with all of the above... and also make sure you check for mantis shrimp :/ I've found two in 1 month