Cureing Live Rock

LEPRECAUN · 08/09/2007, 04:53 PM

Ok I need some help. I will be setting up a large tank. I hear everyone talk about curing live rock, but I have a few questions.

I will be useing a spare sump, rock will be placed on eggcrate to keep it off the bottom. A protien skimmer will be used.

1. I hear I need to leave it in there for about 6 weeks. Do I run lighting to keep it from dyeing?

2. I realize most animals will fall off and end up in the bottom. How do I know which are good animal to pick up and put in the main tank and which ones I need to get rid of?

3. Do I need to feed the creatures on the rock anything?

4. If eveything basically falls off to the bottom (creaturs etc, What exactly will I bee adding to the tank other than coraline algae etc by the time it cures?

Any help would really be appreciated.

LEP

sir_dudeguy · 08/09/2007, 05:04 PM

Quote:

1. I hear I need to leave it in there for about 6 weeks. Do I run lighting to keep it from dyeing?

No, you dont need lights. Common missunderstanding...rock doesnt need light to stay "live"...its just the bacteria that cycles the water. Now if there's corals or something you want to keep alive on it, then yes, maybe you do. But it might not even take 6 weeks. Depending on where you get it, and how it was before you got it, it could take only a week, or up to 6 weeks. Depends if it was cured already, if it was shipped, etc...

Quote:

3. Do I need to feed the creatures on the rock anything?

Depends on what you get

It cant hurt to feed like mysis or something once a week while cycling though.

backyardspecial · 08/09/2007, 05:10 PM

How big of a tank are you setting up. Depending on size using dead rock and seeding it can save you a fist full of cash.

LEPRECAUN · 08/09/2007, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by backyardspecial
How big of a tank are you setting up. Depending on size using dead rock and seeding it can save you a fist full of cash.

450 gallon tank. I guess what I'm afraid of is getting those nasty bugs that will attach themsleves to the fish in your tank. They are some sort of parasite from what I have read.

Also I do not want the red bugs people are getting with the sps's'

LEP

LEPRECAUN · 08/09/2007, 05:35 PM

I will def use quar-tanks for the corals and fish. Just afraid of getting a major problem with the live rock. AMaybe I'm worried for nothing.

If I leave the live rock in the tank for 2-3 months without adding any fosh, wouldn't any parasite that might prey on the fish starve to death?

LEP

backyardspecial · 08/09/2007, 06:29 PM

wow...450G

If you haven't bought the live rock yet, you should really look into dead rock. Marcorocks has an example of what im talking about. Some LFS should carry dead rock too.

Buy the base dead rock and wash the rock best you can. You can then drill the rock and make all kinds of different formations. It seems like a bit of work, but trust me, in the end it you will be able to create specific formation that are pleasing to your eye.

Set the rock work up in the new tank then go to your LFS or local reefers and get some live rock and wedge the pieces within your dead rock. I'm not sure how long it takes for all the rock to become alive but it should eventually. Within 6 months most, if not all the rock will have the necessary bacteria it needs.

I made the mistake of paying top dollar for live rock when I first started. With the money you save you can put it towards another piece of critical equipment you need. In the end the decision is really up to you.

To tell you the truth red bugs are not that bad of a deal anymore. Some treatments with interceptor will take care of the problem. It is a hassle but it's actually treatable. Ich on the other hand will be a problem if it ever enters into your tank. For sure set that QT tank up that your planning to use.

If your going to leave the tank bare for 2-3 months really look into the dead rock solution. Those 2-3 months will give the rock plenty of time to become alive. Also it should clear your tank of ich if it is present.

ChrisKil · 08/09/2007, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LEPRECAUN
2. I realize most animals will fall off and end up in the bottom. How do I know which are good animal to pick up and put in the main tank and which ones I need to get rid of?

4. If eveything basically falls off to the bottom (creaturs etc, What exactly will I bee adding to the tank other than coraline algae etc by the time it cures?

2. Check out Melev's Reef ID or TBS Hitchhiker ID for useful info on identifying hitchhikers and knowing which ones to keep. If you can't figure out what it is or if it's bad post a picture of it and someone will id it for you.

4. The rock is ''live'' because of the bacteria. That is what you are adding to your tank. The hitchhiker organisms are ancillary.

08/09/2007, 04:53 PM	#1
LEPRECAUN Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: OOLTEWAH TN Posts: 72	Cureing Live Rock Ok I need some help. I will be setting up a large tank. I hear everyone talk about curing live rock, but I have a few questions. I will be useing a spare sump, rock will be placed on eggcrate to keep it off the bottom. A protien skimmer will be used. 1. I hear I need to leave it in there for about 6 weeks. Do I run lighting to keep it from dyeing? 2. I realize most animals will fall off and end up in the bottom. How do I know which are good animal to pick up and put in the main tank and which ones I need to get rid of? 3. Do I need to feed the creatures on the rock anything? 4. If eveything basically falls off to the bottom (creaturs etc, What exactly will I bee adding to the tank other than coraline algae etc by the time it cures? Any help would really be appreciated. LEP

08/09/2007, 05:35 PM	#5
LEPRECAUN Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: OOLTEWAH TN Posts: 72	I will def use quar-tanks for the corals and fish. Just afraid of getting a major problem with the live rock. AMaybe I'm worried for nothing. If I leave the live rock in the tank for 2-3 months without adding any fosh, wouldn't any parasite that might prey on the fish starve to death? LEP __________________ My reef keeping skills are so secret-even I don't know what I'm doing!!! Current Tank Info: 90-amazon --working on 550 reef

08/09/2007, 05:10 PM	#3
backyardspecial Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Socal Posts: 220	How big of a tank are you setting up. Depending on size using dead rock and seeding it can save you a fist full of cash.

08/09/2007, 06:29 PM	#6
backyardspecial Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Socal Posts: 220	wow...450G If you haven't bought the live rock yet, you should really look into dead rock. Marcorocks has an example of what im talking about. Some LFS should carry dead rock too. Buy the base dead rock and wash the rock best you can. You can then drill the rock and make all kinds of different formations. It seems like a bit of work, but trust me, in the end it you will be able to create specific formation that are pleasing to your eye. Set the rock work up in the new tank then go to your LFS or local reefers and get some live rock and wedge the pieces within your dead rock. I'm not sure how long it takes for all the rock to become alive but it should eventually. Within 6 months most, if not all the rock will have the necessary bacteria it needs. I made the mistake of paying top dollar for live rock when I first started. With the money you save you can put it towards another piece of critical equipment you need. In the end the decision is really up to you. To tell you the truth red bugs are not that bad of a deal anymore. Some treatments with interceptor will take care of the problem. It is a hassle but it's actually treatable. Ich on the other hand will be a problem if it ever enters into your tank. For sure set that QT tank up that your planning to use. If your going to leave the tank bare for 2-3 months really look into the dead rock solution. Those 2-3 months will give the rock plenty of time to become alive. Also it should clear your tank of ich if it is present.