Live rock in a rubbermaid

RattlerSkin · 10/08/2011, 07:04 PM

I'm looking for some input here as to how long you think fish heads live aquacultered rock will be good for in a 30 gallon rubbermaid container with a 6500k CFL bulb and a MJ1200 pump for circulation. I need to buy the rock before I begin my tank upgrade, but it will be about a week in between when I buy the rock and when I will actually get the new tank running. I have my ATI 6x54W fixture that I could always lay over the rubbermaid container, but I wanted to avoid having it laying directly on top of the water.

I will be mixing fresh RO/DI water then adding the live rock into the rubbermaid, which will allow me to use (somewhat) aged water that has been running with the LR in it for a few days, hopefully increasing the bacteria in the water and keeping the live rock alive until I move it over.

NanoReefWanabe · 10/08/2011, 08:36 PM

the rock will be fine for an infinite amount of time in a rubbermaid container...just make sure the water is at the proper SG, and keep the temps in the high 70's and keep the water moving in the tank...there is no need for lighting the tub though, unless there is some really really nice coraline algae you want to keep alive...

iwishtofish · 10/08/2011, 08:42 PM

+1 on NanoReefWanabes advice. Keep in mind, though, that the bacteria populates the rock, not the water. The only time saltwater benefits from being "aged" is when you wait 1-2 days after mixing it prior to its use. Just-mixed saltwater can be a bit harsh to animals.

10/08/2011, 07:04 PM	#1
RattlerSkin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 105	Live rock in a rubbermaid I'm looking for some input here as to how long you think fish heads live aquacultered rock will be good for in a 30 gallon rubbermaid container with a 6500k CFL bulb and a MJ1200 pump for circulation. I need to buy the rock before I begin my tank upgrade, but it will be about a week in between when I buy the rock and when I will actually get the new tank running. I have my ATI 6x54W fixture that I could always lay over the rubbermaid container, but I wanted to avoid having it laying directly on top of the water. I will be mixing fresh RO/DI water then adding the live rock into the rubbermaid, which will allow me to use (somewhat) aged water that has been running with the LR in it for a few days, hopefully increasing the bacteria in the water and keeping the live rock alive until I move it over.

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10/08/2011, 08:36 PM	#2
NanoReefWanabe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 6,639	the rock will be fine for an infinite amount of time in a rubbermaid container...just make sure the water is at the proper SG, and keep the temps in the high 70's and keep the water moving in the tank...there is no need for lighting the tub though, unless there is some really really nice coraline algae you want to keep alive...

10/08/2011, 08:42 PM	#3
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	+1 on NanoReefWanabes advice. Keep in mind, though, that the bacteria populates the rock, not the water. The only time saltwater benefits from being "aged" is when you wait 1-2 days after mixing it prior to its use. Just-mixed saltwater can be a bit harsh to animals.