first LR in new tank

xpace · 09/27/2011, 06:15 AM

So I have this 59g setup with sump, already running water circulation and have mixed the first salt in it. didn't measure the salinity yet as the $6 hydrometer is useless so I got myself a seawater refractometer Milwaukee, still on it's way.

I'm looking to buy a LR and I got this online store where is this statement:

Quote:

Note to beginners: This is fresh rock, not cured. It is straight from the sea, and has been subjected to a seawater spray bar only. It is good for starting a new system. It is also great as an addition to an established system, however it may contain organisms which release ammonia as part of the curing process, so as a guide, your established bacterial filter surface area must far outweigh the new rock, or the ammonia cycle must be restarted.

so what are the benefits or the negatives for my tank or where would I stand if I decided to go for it.

In addition -

Quote:

Contains creatures like worms, crabs, etc still alive crawling around the box and it is directly from Australian QLD reef

Any help much appreciated

harthag12 · 09/27/2011, 06:42 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong but it's essentially saying you will have a cycle when you put that rock in and if you're adding it to an established system make sure your system can handle the die off. In your case this is ok as you don't have anything in your tank so you can go thru a cycle. Also I like all the live creatures to help populate the tank and give a diverse range of things in it.

Note: I'd wait to get the rock till i test the salinity, you don't want it way off and killing off the beneficial creatures on the rock. Also you may get pests on the rock but it's a chance you take.

Sugar Magnolia · 09/27/2011, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harthag12

Note: I'd wait to get the rock till i test the salinity, you don't want it way off and killing off the beneficial creatures on the rock. Also you may get pests on the rock but it's a chance you take.

Agreed. Definitely get your salinity into the 1.024-1.026 range before adding the LR. Seeing that you will be getting uncured LR you will need to allow it to cycle for 6-8 weeks. Be sure to have your test kits on hand to track your cycle. You'll need a kit for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate and a pH test kit so you can check that after the cycle is complete.

daplatapus · 09/27/2011, 07:41 AM

I have no experience with uncured live rock, but from what I understand be prepared for some fairly decent die off. This is basically dead rotting flesh of sea creatures and will smell as it cures. So a possible draw back if you have a wife, mother, sisters etc with sensitive noses

Dave & Monica · 09/27/2011, 02:35 PM

The uncurred rock is cheeper. Use it for base rock, go to another LFS and buy good flordia rock for the top, seeding more the base rock. "subjected to a seawater spray bar only." does that mean it's not submerged in water?? BTW, the float hydrometer are good and work. For long term, the refractometer is the way to go. I had the hydrometers for 3+ yrs before I broke down to get a refractometer -- GOOD LUCK

xpace · 09/27/2011, 04:09 PM

Hey guys, thanks for all your replies.

Well of course I'll wait for the refractometer to check the salinity before I get the LR. I was actually checking it with the hydrometer but whatever I did it was all the way up, even with fresh water

Anyway as I see it's not too beneficial to have uncured LR it's just more work.
I do have all the test kits so I would be ok but to wait and check the water every day for 6-8 weeks it's way too much for my busy lifestyle.

In this case I'll go for cured LR but do you have any suggestions for that one too or is it just simple as buying it and sinking it in my tank ?

thanks guys

192clark · 09/27/2011, 06:45 PM

You actually want some die off, that is how the biological process starts in the tank.

xpace · 09/28/2011, 02:07 AM

ok, so I need some uncured LR ?

just give me a hint, need something easier than difficult and something that I don't have to wait for another 2 months to cure.

thanks

unfamous · 09/28/2011, 07:06 AM

Even with cured LR you will get some die off. Its just natural. Get the salinity right first then add rock. With the hydrometer, make sure you rinse in in RODI before you test. When you test, make sure you knock the bubbles off of the pointer. Test several times and average.

I know this because I too just started my first tank and things are fresh in my mind.

xpace · 09/28/2011, 07:16 AM

thanks mate,

how often do I have to change water when I cycle new LR either cured or uncured ?
With the hydrometer it's ok now as I bought the refractometer. it's not home yet but will be soon.
what will happened if i get only dead LR (dry) and put it in the water ?

thanks

Sugar Magnolia · 09/28/2011, 07:24 AM

You need some LR to get the cycle going. You can use as much dry rock as you'd like, in fact, it's much cheaper to go that route, but add a few pound sof LR to seed the dead rock. Over time, the nitrifying bacteria in/on the LR will populate the dead rock.

For example... I'm getting ready to set up a 40 gallon tank. I purchased 30 pounds of Eco-saver rock from Bulk Reef Supply and bought 5 pounds of live rock and cycled it together.

There's no way to "instantly" set up a marine tank. Cycling can take 6-8 weeks depending upon whether the live rock you buy is fully cured (cycled) or partially cured, or uncured. Patience is key.

xpace · 09/28/2011, 10:05 PM

Guys thanks for the help

Just last question :
which one of those LR on the picture is the best or which one would you recommend

thanx again

xpace · 09/29/2011, 01:49 AM

anyone ?

xpace · 09/29/2011, 06:29 PM

so no one knows which LR is better from the picture ?

wipe · 09/29/2011, 07:02 PM

I would go with the carib sea 23.6 kilos more rock for the price , good shapes looks pourous or the tahiti looks good too. Shop around this is the basis of your system so choose wisely.
Figure in shipping. Throw it in your tank on top of your sand, add the seawater pumps heater, add a big dead whole shrimp (raw for the bacteria) no water changes and test till the ammonia goes away then same for the nitrite. Take your time nothing good happens fast in saltwater. Then add a skimmer and slowly add your fish. Goodluck

PRDubois · 09/30/2011, 01:32 AM

Look at the rock or Bulk Reef Supply

xpace · 10/06/2011, 10:16 PM

sorry been to the hospital, so was not available to even thank you, so thank you mate.

Have already bought the LR, already sitting in the tank, water is flowing, now I just need the big dead shrimp

09/27/2011, 07:41 AM	#4
daplatapus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Port Alberni, B.C., Canada Posts: 895	I have no experience with uncured live rock, but from what I understand be prepared for some fairly decent die off. This is basically dead rotting flesh of sea creatures and will smell as it cures. So a possible draw back if you have a wife, mother, sisters etc with sensitive noses __________________ 130 lbs Tonga LR, GFO and Carbon reactors, Tunze ozmolator ATO, 2- 20 gal QT tanks, Current Tank Info: 80 gal display 48L X 24H X16D, 2 MP-40's, Odyssea 2-250W MH 4-HO T-5 Actinic's, 80 lbs Aragonite sand, 4 - 150W titanium heaters, Reeflo Baracuda return pump, 150gal sump, Filter Guys Reef Miser 6 stage + 1 Dual RO/DI, LifeReef 48" Skimmer

09/28/2011, 07:06 AM	#9
unfamous Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 75	Even with cured LR you will get some die off. Its just natural. Get the salinity right first then add rock. With the hydrometer, make sure you rinse in in RODI before you test. When you test, make sure you knock the bubbles off of the pointer. Test several times and average. I know this because I too just started my first tank and things are fresh in my mind. __________________ Yes, I have other hobbies

09/28/2011, 07:24 AM	#11
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	You need some LR to get the cycle going. You can use as much dry rock as you'd like, in fact, it's much cheaper to go that route, but add a few pound sof LR to seed the dead rock. Over time, the nitrifying bacteria in/on the LR will populate the dead rock. For example... I'm getting ready to set up a 40 gallon tank. I purchased 30 pounds of Eco-saver rock from Bulk Reef Supply and bought 5 pounds of live rock and cycled it together. There's no way to "instantly" set up a marine tank. Cycling can take 6-8 weeks depending upon whether the live rock you buy is fully cured (cycled) or partially cured, or uncured. Patience is key. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

09/29/2011, 06:29 PM	#14
xpace Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sydney, AU Posts: 74	hm so no one knows which LR is better from the picture ?

09/29/2011, 07:02 PM	#15
wipe Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Nw side Chicago IL Posts: 340	I would go with the carib sea 23.6 kilos more rock for the price , good shapes looks pourous or the tahiti looks good too. Shop around this is the basis of your system so choose wisely. Figure in shipping. Throw it in your tank on top of your sand, add the seawater pumps heater, add a big dead whole shrimp (raw for the bacteria) no water changes and test till the ammonia goes away then same for the nitrite. Take your time nothing good happens fast in saltwater. Then add a skimmer and slowly add your fish. Goodluck __________________ Water changes ....We don't need no stinking water changes. Current Tank Info: 220 + 120 lit by 3 radion's 300gal stocktank basement sump asm G4+ skimmer

09/27/2011, 06:42 AM	#2
harthag12 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hamilton, NJ Posts: 118	Correct me if I'm wrong but it's essentially saying you will have a cycle when you put that rock in and if you're adding it to an established system make sure your system can handle the die off. In your case this is ok as you don't have anything in your tank so you can go thru a cycle. Also I like all the live creatures to help populate the tank and give a diverse range of things in it. Note: I'd wait to get the rock till i test the salinity, you don't want it way off and killing off the beneficial creatures on the rock. Also you may get pests on the rock but it's a chance you take.

09/27/2011, 02:35 PM	#5
Dave & Monica Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 1,255	The uncurred rock is cheeper. Use it for base rock, go to another LFS and buy good flordia rock for the top, seeding more the base rock. "subjected to a seawater spray bar only." does that mean it's not submerged in water?? BTW, the float hydrometer are good and work. For long term, the refractometer is the way to go. I had the hydrometers for 3+ yrs before I broke down to get a refractometer -- GOOD LUCK

09/27/2011, 04:09 PM	#6
xpace Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sydney, AU Posts: 74	Hey guys, thanks for all your replies. Well of course I'll wait for the refractometer to check the salinity before I get the LR. I was actually checking it with the hydrometer but whatever I did it was all the way up, even with fresh water Anyway as I see it's not too beneficial to have uncured LR it's just more work. I do have all the test kits so I would be ok but to wait and check the water every day for 6-8 weeks it's way too much for my busy lifestyle. In this case I'll go for cured LR but do you have any suggestions for that one too or is it just simple as buying it and sinking it in my tank ? thanks guys

09/27/2011, 06:45 PM	#7
192clark Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 635	You actually want some die off, that is how the biological process starts in the tank.

09/28/2011, 02:07 AM	#8
xpace Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sydney, AU Posts: 74	ok, so I need some uncured LR ? just give me a hint, need something easier than difficult and something that I don't have to wait for another 2 months to cure. thanks

09/28/2011, 07:16 AM	#10
xpace Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sydney, AU Posts: 74	thanks mate, how often do I have to change water when I cycle new LR either cured or uncured ? With the hydrometer it's ok now as I bought the refractometer. it's not home yet but will be soon. what will happened if i get only dead LR (dry) and put it in the water ? thanks

09/29/2011, 01:49 AM	#13
xpace Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sydney, AU Posts: 74	anyone ?

09/30/2011, 01:32 AM	#16
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	Look at the rock or Bulk Reef Supply __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

10/06/2011, 10:16 PM	#17
xpace Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sydney, AU Posts: 74	sorry been to the hospital, so was not available to even thank you, so thank you mate. Have already bought the LR, already sitting in the tank, water is flowing, now I just need the big dead shrimp

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Just used mortar kit with LR...how long until i can put LR back into tank???	celticreefer85	Reef Discussion	0	06/18/2011 02:33 PM
Is my tank going to cycle with sand and LR from another tank??	fishykid9212	Reef Discussion	4	08/31/2006 09:00 PM
Amount of LR for Prop Tanks??	ftnirishfan	Coral Propagation and Aquaculture	7	03/07/2006 12:21 PM
adding cured LR to established tank	ddevlin	New to the Hobby	2	02/22/2006 11:56 PM
No LR in the tank... so how'd I end up with them???	ozmatoz	Mantis Shrimp	4	01/19/2005 09:02 AM