aquascaping a 55gal reef

Drewbaby · 01/18/2009, 02:35 PM

I obtained around 20-30 lbs. of live rock from a buddy of mine. However, the rock was covered with aptasia, hair algae, and who knows what else. I didnt want to add these problems to my tank so I baked the rock in the sun for a few weeks to kill the rock.

The rock is now fully cured and is ready to be put into the 55g reef tank that I have.

My question is: Would it be better for the corals if I added the rock after they were sleeping and the lights were out? or would adding that amount of rock to a tank this size effect the corals at all? I dont have high end expensive corals, but either way i dont want to kill them by rearranging thier whole world while they are trying to absorb light.

Im probably just thinking way too much into this and being paranoid that I might kill something. lol

nikon187 · 01/18/2009, 03:16 PM

I'm assuming after the sun bake you cured them in a seperate container with salt water for a mth right? I would do it with the lights on as long as the rock is cured, it shouldn't hurt anything but i would monitor your levels for a couple of weeks

shadowz40 · 01/18/2009, 08:23 PM

if it is cured it should be fine, if not either cure it in a seperate tank or add in one piece at a time.

01/18/2009, 02:35 PM	#1
Drewbaby Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: FL Posts: 874	aquascaping a 55gal reef I obtained around 20-30 lbs. of live rock from a buddy of mine. However, the rock was covered with aptasia, hair algae, and who knows what else. I didnt want to add these problems to my tank so I baked the rock in the sun for a few weeks to kill the rock. The rock is now fully cured and is ready to be put into the 55g reef tank that I have. My question is: Would it be better for the corals if I added the rock after they were sleeping and the lights were out? or would adding that amount of rock to a tank this size effect the corals at all? I dont have high end expensive corals, but either way i dont want to kill them by rearranging thier whole world while they are trying to absorb light. Im probably just thinking way too much into this and being paranoid that I might kill something. lol

01/18/2009, 03:16 PM	#2
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	I'm assuming after the sun bake you cured them in a seperate container with salt water for a mth right? I would do it with the lights on as long as the rock is cured, it shouldn't hurt anything but i would monitor your levels for a couple of weeks __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

01/18/2009, 08:23 PM	#3
shadowz40 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: lakeville, mn Posts: 52	if it is cured it should be fine, if not either cure it in a seperate tank or add in one piece at a time.