Seeding Marco Rock

floydie83 · 05/29/2010, 10:06 PM

So I got my 72 gallon tank up and going with salt in it and everything stable. Im ready to add rock and sand.

I have 80 lbs of Marco rock. I dont think I will use it all but its nice to have the extra pieces. What doesn't fit in the DT I will put in the sump/refugium.

I am looking for input on getting this thing cycling. My plan was to add about 10-20 lbs of some nice liverock. As i was reading more threads some people are just seeding with some established sand.

What are the pros and cons? Have you been successful with either of these methods?

Sisterlimonpot · 05/29/2010, 10:17 PM

Seeding with just sand is fine for biological bacteria, however you won't have to beneficial pods that come with live rock. If you seed with sand I would also at least get a few pounds of some live rock to seed the lace rock, or even better yet, start with all dead and you can control what you add to your tank, such as copepods, brittle stars, amphipods etc. The cycle may take a bit longer but if you're not in a hurry that would be a great way to start off.

Either way to get the cycle started you're still going to ahve to toss a dead raw shrimp to start the biological process.

Good luck

jakester · 05/29/2010, 10:25 PM

I second that!

floydie83 · 05/29/2010, 10:57 PM

Thanks, for the input. I think I will go with the rock then. 15 lbs enough? Maybe I can try to get some real live sand from the LFS here as well.

Im getting excited about all this!

jakester · 05/29/2010, 11:08 PM

15lbs is plenty. A little live sand couldn't hurt. Thats what I did for my fist saltwater tank. I took a small cup from a couple nice established sytems and mixed them in for some good biodiversity. Every tank I have done since then has been seeded from the original system.

noobtothereef · 05/29/2010, 11:11 PM

i started my marco rock with biospira, it worked but theres more stuff on marco rock than you think and it will spkie your ammonia nitrite and nitrates, im currently battling a bacteria bloom right now because of the organics on marco rocks

fleming3 · 05/29/2010, 11:25 PM

I used about 100 lbs of Marco Rock in my 90G. I used 10 lbs of live rock, and a pound or 2 of live sand from my old system to "seed" it as well. Once that was in, I used the raw cocktail shrimp method to kick start the cycle. The key is to just be patient, and let the tank run its preliminary course. After my cycle, I had an algae bloom, but that went away by itself. It was difficult to wait, but I went probably 8 weeks before I put in anything living. The rewards for patience with Marco Rock are so worth it. You can get fantastic structures that look amazing as the tank matures. Good Luck and post some pictures!

floydie83 · 05/29/2010, 11:37 PM

awesome thanks for the input all. I will start a build thread in the near future. I have some pics to upload.

fleming3 · 05/29/2010, 11:39 PM

here's a picture of mine to give you an idea of how it looked once I started it....

ludiNano · 05/30/2010, 01:41 AM

What marco rock did you get?

I thought all his signature rock was gonna and he was unable to get it, but i saw he is able to get it now. I would love to see a pic of it.

I started mine with just a few LBS. of live rock from LFS. I did put it in my old nano for a few weeks to make sure no unwanted pest were on it.

Dont for get dry rock doubles in weight when it gets wet.

good luck.

floydie83 · 05/30/2010, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ludiNano

What marco rock did you get?

I thought all his signature rock was gonna and he was unable to get it, but i saw he is able to get it now. I would love to see a pic of it.

I started mine with just a few LBS. of live rock from LFS. I did put it in my old nano for a few weeks to make sure no unwanted pest were on it.

Dont for get dry rock doubles in weight when it gets wet.

good luck.

I got the key largo. I have pictures of some of it here. As i get going I will take some pics of the aquascape.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1844897

Also, I'm not quite sure about doubling in weight. Marc from Marco rocks says it gains around 20-25%.

ludiNano · 05/30/2010, 10:20 AM

I just know he clames his http://www.marcorocks.com/index.asp?...PROD&ProdID=40

05/29/2010, 10:06 PM	#1
floydie83 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 287	Seeding Marco Rock So I got my 72 gallon tank up and going with salt in it and everything stable. Im ready to add rock and sand. I have 80 lbs of Marco rock. I dont think I will use it all but its nice to have the extra pieces. What doesn't fit in the DT I will put in the sump/refugium. I am looking for input on getting this thing cycling. My plan was to add about 10-20 lbs of some nice liverock. As i was reading more threads some people are just seeding with some established sand. What are the pros and cons? Have you been successful with either of these methods?

05/29/2010, 10:17 PM	#2
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Seeding with just sand is fine for biological bacteria, however you won't have to beneficial pods that come with live rock. If you seed with sand I would also at least get a few pounds of some live rock to seed the lace rock, or even better yet, start with all dead and you can control what you add to your tank, such as copepods, brittle stars, amphipods etc. The cycle may take a bit longer but if you're not in a hurry that would be a great way to start off. Either way to get the cycle started you're still going to ahve to toss a dead raw shrimp to start the biological process. Good luck __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

05/29/2010, 10:25 PM	#3
jakester Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Temecula,CA Posts: 77	I second that! __________________ My girlfriend calls it coral porn Current Tank Info: 36"/20"/18" Starphire Rimless, 40 gal. sump 2 Lumatek Ballast/ 2-400 watt Radiums in Lumenarc Minis, 1 Vortech MP10w/ 3/4" Sea swirl for return line, SWC 160 cone skimmer

05/29/2010, 11:08 PM	#5
jakester Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Temecula,CA Posts: 77	15lbs is plenty. A little live sand couldn't hurt. Thats what I did for my fist saltwater tank. I took a small cup from a couple nice established sytems and mixed them in for some good biodiversity. Every tank I have done since then has been seeded from the original system. __________________ My girlfriend calls it coral porn Current Tank Info: 36"/20"/18" Starphire Rimless, 40 gal. sump 2 Lumatek Ballast/ 2-400 watt Radiums in Lumenarc Minis, 1 Vortech MP10w/ 3/4" Sea swirl for return line, SWC 160 cone skimmer

05/29/2010, 11:11 PM	#6
noobtothereef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: council bluffs iowa Posts: 1,530	i started my marco rock with biospira, it worked but theres more stuff on marco rock than you think and it will spkie your ammonia nitrite and nitrates, im currently battling a bacteria bloom right now because of the organics on marco rocks __________________ 120g custom acrylic, dart return, dart closed loop, 2-evo-1400's, RKE, xtreme 200, 80g sump/fuge, 240lbs rock, ssb, 2-250w mh, 2x54 t5, ato Current Tank Info: 120gallon 2-darts, 2-evo 1400's...piles of flow.. RKE with an easy button

05/29/2010, 10:57 PM	#4
floydie83 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 287	Thanks, for the input. I think I will go with the rock then. 15 lbs enough? Maybe I can try to get some real live sand from the LFS here as well. Im getting excited about all this!

05/29/2010, 11:25 PM	#7
fleming3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashville Posts: 94	I used about 100 lbs of Marco Rock in my 90G. I used 10 lbs of live rock, and a pound or 2 of live sand from my old system to "seed" it as well. Once that was in, I used the raw cocktail shrimp method to kick start the cycle. The key is to just be patient, and let the tank run its preliminary course. After my cycle, I had an algae bloom, but that went away by itself. It was difficult to wait, but I went probably 8 weeks before I put in anything living. The rewards for patience with Marco Rock are so worth it. You can get fantastic structures that look amazing as the tank matures. Good Luck and post some pictures! __________________ ___________________ Chris Current Tank Info: 60G cube in build stage

05/29/2010, 11:37 PM	#8
floydie83 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 287	awesome thanks for the input all. I will start a build thread in the near future. I have some pics to upload.

05/29/2010, 11:39 PM	#9
fleming3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashville Posts: 94	here's a picture of mine to give you an idea of how it looked once I started it.... __________________ ___________________ Chris Current Tank Info: 60G cube in build stage

05/30/2010, 01:41 AM	#10
ludiNano I'm becoming...Brundlefly Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bettendorf, Iowas Posts: 1,804	What marco rock did you get? I thought all his signature rock was gonna and he was unable to get it, but i saw he is able to get it now. I would love to see a pic of it. I started mine with just a few LBS. of live rock from LFS. I did put it in my old nano for a few weeks to make sure no unwanted pest were on it. Dont for get dry rock doubles in weight when it gets wet. good luck. __________________ -The Loungers really contribute to RC.~ Agu -JoshTodd has a very good point. ~ R_Hudson -Fresh air will get the stink off ~ Carrie

05/30/2010, 10:20 AM	#12
ludiNano I'm becoming...Brundlefly Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bettendorf, Iowas Posts: 1,804	I just know he clames his http://www.marcorocks.com/index.asp?...PROD&ProdID=40 __________________ -The Loungers really contribute to RC.~ Agu -JoshTodd has a very good point. ~ R_Hudson -Fresh air will get the stink off ~ Carrie

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