What rock to use when starting new tank?

Cshabz · 12/29/2014, 06:47 AM

Hey all,

Currently have a 222g coral reef as main home tank but have a bi*ch of a maroon clown and her mate, she's spawned 3 times in the last month and has become way, way to aggressive for the tank.. She's bullying everyone that comes near her area (1/4 of the tank mind you) and won't leave any corals near there either.. Long story short, I've decided to start a project and try breed them while giving myself some entertainment for the bedroom..

It's a 32g tank, previously my first coral reef tank. all equipment, sand and rocks have been cleaned, dried and left in the sun for weeks and washed more..

I started the salt/primed water and a bit of my main tank water in the tank with all equipment running for 7 days today.
I had put some of the dead rock in my main tank sump for 4 days and have moved that rock to the tank 4 days ago with a large LR that is completely covered in coralline and other growth to seed the rest..
have the rest of the dead rock in my sump still..

My questions are, firstly, am I doing the right thing till now?
Secondly, I've read a lot about this LR vs dead rock and can't really lean either way... I understand the issue with stuff you don't know coming with the LR but my LFS is a very close friend and will pick the entire rock before giving it to me.. So does that mean I should throw my dead rock and go buy LR because it's better for the system?
Thirdly, how long should I be running the tank before moving the rock with the anemones and clowns up? (I'm using sachem tank cycle and have watched my ammonia, nitrite and nitrate go up and down)

Thank you for reading if anyone does!

Cshabz · 12/29/2014, 05:43 PM

Anyone?

gone fishin · 12/29/2014, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cshabz

My questions are, firstly, am I doing the right thing till now? Sounds like a basic set up.

Secondly, I've read a lot about this LR vs dead rock and can't really lean either way... I understand the issue with stuff you don't know coming with the LR but my LFS is a very close friend and will pick the entire rock before giving it to me.. So does that mean I should throw my dead rock and go buy LR because it's better for the system? I would use the rock you already have, put it in the 32 and cycle the tank. Why buy more rock.

Thirdly, how long should I be running the tank before moving the rock with the anemones and clowns up? (I'm using sachem tank cycle and have watched my ammonia, nitrite and nitrate go up and down) I have not used that product. When it is cycled you can move the clowns over. I would wait awhile longer for the tank to stabilize then move the nem.

Cshabz · 12/30/2014, 01:29 AM

Thanks Tony,

Ye I was thinking the same with everything

It is pretty basic, led lights, Tunze 9002 skimmer, 2 hang on the back filters with phosmesh
A canister with rock rubble and marine pure spheres as the media
Heater and power head

I wasn't gonna move anything before this weekend, test then see..

I was thinking, should I put a dead shrimp in to see how long it takes for the ammonia to go away? I've never done that.. Is there a specific way to do it
Or just throw it in there and watch everything spike?
Skimmer?
Thanks

Jocko · 12/30/2014, 12:27 PM

So you've got some dead rock and some live rock from your existing tank in there already? If that's the case, I wouldn't do anything else. Especially not the dead shrimp thing.

You've got plenty of bacteria in there already, so just wait for your levels to hit zero so you know anything dead in the rock has been processed. Once you're at zero, in go the clowns. All will be well.

If I were you, I'd be more worried about where they will decide to settle down and lay eggs and how difficult it will be for you to collect them.

gone fishin · 12/30/2014, 06:13 PM

If you wanted to check your ammonia consumption, I think I would add some pure ammonia, no surfacants, in the ammonia. It has been awhile I forget the amount but there are plenty of calculators around. I would add enough to get to 1ppm if it is gone in 24 hours, I would say you are in pretty good shape. Good luck

12/29/2014, 06:47 AM	#1
Cshabz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 105	What rock to use when starting new tank? Hey all, Currently have a 222g coral reef as main home tank but have a bi*ch of a maroon clown and her mate, she's spawned 3 times in the last month and has become way, way to aggressive for the tank.. She's bullying everyone that comes near her area (1/4 of the tank mind you) and won't leave any corals near there either.. Long story short, I've decided to start a project and try breed them while giving myself some entertainment for the bedroom.. It's a 32g tank, previously my first coral reef tank. all equipment, sand and rocks have been cleaned, dried and left in the sun for weeks and washed more.. I started the salt/primed water and a bit of my main tank water in the tank with all equipment running for 7 days today. I had put some of the dead rock in my main tank sump for 4 days and have moved that rock to the tank 4 days ago with a large LR that is completely covered in coralline and other growth to seed the rest.. have the rest of the dead rock in my sump still.. My questions are, firstly, am I doing the right thing till now? Secondly, I've read a lot about this LR vs dead rock and can't really lean either way... I understand the issue with stuff you don't know coming with the LR but my LFS is a very close friend and will pick the entire rock before giving it to me.. So does that mean I should throw my dead rock and go buy LR because it's better for the system? Thirdly, how long should I be running the tank before moving the rock with the anemones and clowns up? (I'm using sachem tank cycle and have watched my ammonia, nitrite and nitrate go up and down) Thank you for reading if anyone does!

12/30/2014, 06:13 PM	#6
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	If you wanted to check your ammonia consumption, I think I would add some pure ammonia, no surfacants, in the ammonia. It has been awhile I forget the amount but there are plenty of calculators around. I would add enough to get to 1ppm if it is gone in 24 hours, I would say you are in pretty good shape. Good luck __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

12/29/2014, 05:43 PM	#2
Cshabz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 105	Anyone?

12/30/2014, 01:29 AM	#4
Cshabz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 105	Thanks Tony, Ye I was thinking the same with everything It is pretty basic, led lights, Tunze 9002 skimmer, 2 hang on the back filters with phosmesh A canister with rock rubble and marine pure spheres as the media Heater and power head I wasn't gonna move anything before this weekend, test then see.. I was thinking, should I put a dead shrimp in to see how long it takes for the ammonia to go away? I've never done that.. Is there a specific way to do it Or just throw it in there and watch everything spike? Skimmer? Thanks

12/30/2014, 12:27 PM	#5
Jocko Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 595	So you've got some dead rock and some live rock from your existing tank in there already? If that's the case, I wouldn't do anything else. Especially not the dead shrimp thing. You've got plenty of bacteria in there already, so just wait for your levels to hit zero so you know anything dead in the rock has been processed. Once you're at zero, in go the clowns. All will be well. If I were you, I'd be more worried about where they will decide to settle down and lay eggs and how difficult it will be for you to collect them.