Live Rock and bottom material

tcreiglow13 · 01/14/2009, 04:09 PM

Hello

I have been wanting to try a saltwater tank for a long time. I recently received some equipment through a recycle website to get me started. I have read very little, but now basic questions are coming up. I received crushed coral and live rock. So the question is how long can it be out of water before the benifits of the live rock is gone. Im not sure how long its been out of water. Their is a lot of it and would be a shame if I had to throw it out. Can it be "repopulated or revived?" Also live sand? can it be mixed with the coral I have? I also have a pump and a canister that says nu view filter I think? One last thing and this might be a big one. My tank is tempered so no drilling. Can the set up go into the tank from the top? I do know that I want to go straight to the reef setup and not fish only first. I figure if I take it slow to go that things could work out. I am prepared to wait the months mabe even a year for complete setup. Thanks T13

Ranchhand02 · 01/14/2009, 04:25 PM

Usually when the live rock is dry for very long all the bacteria is gone. You can use the live rock againit will repopulate with time, especially if you have other live rock in the tank. You can mix the sand and the coral. If you want a sump, you can use an exteranl overflow box.

Ranchhand02 · 01/14/2009, 04:26 PM

What size of tank do you have? You have deffinetly come to the right place for info. I have learned a lot off of this site.

reefworm · 01/14/2009, 05:38 PM

Welcome on board RC!

For myself, I would forgo the crushed coral. creates more problems than it's worth IMO. Size and shape[sharp edges] discourage much benthic life - worms, etc. which help with keeping things clean. the cup shapes tend to hold detritus and create nitrate problems down the road. I blame CC [+ my ignorance in those days] for the system crash after about 3 years. I agree you can use the rock, but keep an eye out for algae blooms due to phosphate leaching out from dead material within the rock. The rock will likely get your nitrogen cycle going for you. Make liberal use of the sticky threads at the top of the forum - lots of research and patience will lots of time, heartache and $$$

Teen Aquarist · 01/14/2009, 05:42 PM

Also look into reading a book wrote by Bob Fenner thats what started it all for me.

Li\/EWiRE · 01/15/2009, 05:19 PM

I would go with a sand bed and an overflow to a sump setup and the a return pump. Good luck and keep us posted.

tcreiglow13 · 01/16/2009, 08:31 PM

Thanks everyone for all the input. I will look for the book by bob fenner. I am reading two other books one is mini-reef by jeff kurtz and the other is nano-reef by chris brightwell. There is deffently a lot to learn so keep the suggestions coming. How do you all purify your water?

reefworm · 01/16/2009, 08:41 PM

RO/DI filter is the best source of pure water. it has a bit of a price tag for a good one, but will save lots of hassle and $$ in the long run. check with http://www.thefilterguys.biz/

tcreiglow13 · 01/20/2009, 04:33 PM

Thanks I will look into the website. What are your thoughts on starting to repopulate my live rock in a plastic container while I am gathering things for the aquarium? I have enough to move and heat the water. I need to build in a small room that the tank will sit in a window of the new wall. I have unruly dogs so I need to protect the tubes and wires. Thanks again and have a wonderful week.

01/14/2009, 04:09 PM	#1
tcreiglow13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 3	Live Rock and bottom material Hello I have been wanting to try a saltwater tank for a long time. I recently received some equipment through a recycle website to get me started. I have read very little, but now basic questions are coming up. I received crushed coral and live rock. So the question is how long can it be out of water before the benifits of the live rock is gone. Im not sure how long its been out of water. Their is a lot of it and would be a shame if I had to throw it out. Can it be "repopulated or revived?" Also live sand? can it be mixed with the coral I have? I also have a pump and a canister that says nu view filter I think? One last thing and this might be a big one. My tank is tempered so no drilling. Can the set up go into the tank from the top? I do know that I want to go straight to the reef setup and not fish only first. I figure if I take it slow to go that things could work out. I am prepared to wait the months mabe even a year for complete setup. Thanks T13

01/14/2009, 05:38 PM	#4
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	Welcome on board RC! For myself, I would forgo the crushed coral. creates more problems than it's worth IMO. Size and shape[sharp edges] discourage much benthic life - worms, etc. which help with keeping things clean. the cup shapes tend to hold detritus and create nitrate problems down the road. I blame CC [+ my ignorance in those days] for the system crash after about 3 years. I agree you can use the rock, but keep an eye out for algae blooms due to phosphate leaching out from dead material within the rock. The rock will likely get your nitrogen cycle going for you. Make liberal use of the sticky threads at the top of the forum - lots of research and patience will lots of time, heartache and $$$ __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

01/14/2009, 05:42 PM	#5
Teen Aquarist Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 411	Also look into reading a book wrote by Bob Fenner thats what started it all for me. __________________ One thing's for sure: Nobody ever sees the Pool Shark coming Current Tank Info: 180 gallon fowlr and 25 gallon sump and a 24 gallon nano reef

01/15/2009, 05:19 PM	#6
Li\/EWiRE Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 73	I would go with a sand bed and an overflow to a sump setup and the a return pump. Good luck and keep us posted.
$Li\/EWiRE is offline$

01/16/2009, 08:41 PM	#8
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	RO/DI filter is the best source of pure water. it has a bit of a price tag for a good one, but will save lots of hassle and $$ in the long run. check with http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

01/14/2009, 04:25 PM	#2
Ranchhand02 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 532	Usually when the live rock is dry for very long all the bacteria is gone. You can use the live rock againit will repopulate with time, especially if you have other live rock in the tank. You can mix the sand and the coral. If you want a sump, you can use an exteranl overflow box.

01/14/2009, 04:26 PM	#3
Ranchhand02 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 532	What size of tank do you have? You have deffinetly come to the right place for info. I have learned a lot off of this site.

01/16/2009, 08:31 PM	#7
tcreiglow13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 3	Thanks everyone for all the input. I will look for the book by bob fenner. I am reading two other books one is mini-reef by jeff kurtz and the other is nano-reef by chris brightwell. There is deffently a lot to learn so keep the suggestions coming. How do you all purify your water?

01/20/2009, 04:33 PM	#9
tcreiglow13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 3	Thanks I will look into the website. What are your thoughts on starting to repopulate my live rock in a plastic container while I am gathering things for the aquarium? I have enough to move and heat the water. I need to build in a small room that the tank will sit in a window of the new wall. I have unruly dogs so I need to protect the tubes and wires. Thanks again and have a wonderful week.