Live rock Die-off question

FelipeBastos · 08/01/2006, 12:28 PM

I tore down my tank, and will set it up again else where in a week. All of the corals, fish, and other inverts, as well as some LR, went to the LFS for a week.

I have been keeping the big pieces dry in a styro box. Will I see a cycle next time they are added to the tank? I figure it's about 55 -65 lbs. of once-was-LR, but now it's dry.

Should I wash it before placoing in the tank again?
Will I see an ammonia spike?

reefnetworth · 08/01/2006, 12:50 PM

yes, you will see a new cycle from dead rock. it will take probably 3 months or more to return to its "live" stage. REEF-ON!!!

FelipeBastos · 08/01/2006, 01:26 PM

Even if I wash well and keep it underwater ( freshwater) for the remaining 5 days)?

Won't that kinda clean it up?

poedag · 08/01/2006, 01:48 PM

it will help, but you will still see a small cycle. if you clean it really good and turn it into base rock then it shouldn't cycle at all.

FelipeBastos · 08/02/2006, 05:00 PM

So, here's what I did. I set up a tank with just enough SW to cover all the rock ( 1.019 Salinity). it has been running for a day now. I fed some phyto, in hope that would speed things up. I will keep testing the water. I did find a mini starfish - 1 cm across - still alive, when moving the rock from the styro container into the tank. It also has a heater to keep things nice and toasty, and a powerhead.

I am hoping this would solve my problem.

08/01/2006, 12:28 PM	#1
FelipeBastos Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Florida Posts: 236	Live rock Die-off question I tore down my tank, and will set it up again else where in a week. All of the corals, fish, and other inverts, as well as some LR, went to the LFS for a week. I have been keeping the big pieces dry in a styro box. Will I see a cycle next time they are added to the tank? I figure it's about 55 -65 lbs. of once-was-LR, but now it's dry. Should I wash it before placoing in the tank again? Will I see an ammonia spike?

08/01/2006, 12:50 PM	#2
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	yes, you will see a new cycle from dead rock. it will take probably 3 months or more to return to its "live" stage. REEF-ON!!! __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping.

08/01/2006, 01:26 PM	#3
FelipeBastos Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Florida Posts: 236	Even if I wash well and keep it underwater ( freshwater) for the remaining 5 days)? Won't that kinda clean it up?

08/01/2006, 01:48 PM	#4
poedag Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Santa Barbara Posts: 307	it will help, but you will still see a small cycle. if you clean it really good and turn it into base rock then it shouldn't cycle at all.

08/02/2006, 05:00 PM	#5
FelipeBastos Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Florida Posts: 236	So, here's what I did. I set up a tank with just enough SW to cover all the rock ( 1.019 Salinity). it has been running for a day now. I fed some phyto, in hope that would speed things up. I will keep testing the water. I did find a mini starfish - 1 cm across - still alive, when moving the rock from the styro container into the tank. It also has a heater to keep things nice and toasty, and a powerhead. I am hoping this would solve my problem.