When is it ok to take out seed rock?

[PurpleMonkey]

Hi guys, my tank has been cycled and running for 3 months.

BC 29g, 425 koralia, mj900 return, stock lighting (have the 3 bulb nanotuners upgrade waiting for me to have time to wire up)

3g water changes done weekly

nh4, no2, no3 all zero, ph 8.3, 1.025 salinity.

Live stock = bicolour blenny, 2 chromis, randalls goby + tiger shrimp (all quite small still 1-2") + CUC

Running filterfloss, carbon, and rowaphos in mediarack + chaeto in fugebasket

25 lbs brs ecorock which I seeded with a large fist-sized rock from a 10+ reef tank.


So the question is this: When can I take the seed rock out?

I planned for the goby+tiger shrimp combo so all my rock is sitting directly on the glass with the sand filled up around it. The tiger shrimp and goby have been in for about 1 week and they are burrowing up a storm

The only rock not stable is the seed rock and I noticed this morning that they are starting on burrowing around it. I don't want it to slip and crush one of them. I have coraline starting to grow on the powerhead and back wall.

Can I take it out?

If I can't take it out yet, what should I use as my guideline as to when I can take it out?

Thanks!

[ReeferBill]

It is really up to you and the look you are looking for.......

[PurpleMonkey]

The seed rock was never meant to remain in the tank after it has served its purpose.

[scarface70706]

id leave it in there for as long as you can. this is just me but i think minimum 6 months or till the dead rock comes alive.

[papagimp]

I would imagine after 3 months, its' probably done it's job well enough. Feel free to remove it at any time imo. No reason you couldn't 'reseed' at a later date if you feel the need. I've always constantly seeded my tanks in the past. Find some fellow reefers who I'm semi-familiar with their tank and history of it, and occasionally swap some seed rock or sand.