Live Rock question???

shag26272 · 02/03/2006, 05:47 AM

If I put half base rock and half live rock in a trash can for a couple months with heaters and powerheads, would the base rock turn live? Or do I need lights?

Blown 346 · 02/03/2006, 06:08 AM

The base rock will become live either way, if it's in the tank together or in a trash can. The bacteria is what makes the rock live.
If you are going to cure rock I reccomend no light, this will help avoid accessive algae growth.

shag26272 · 02/03/2006, 06:10 AM

ok and would 2 months work out ok?

Blown 346 · 02/03/2006, 06:13 AM

When curing rock you will usually have die off, or the organisms on the rock will be dead and will cause Ammonia, Nitrite. Or in plain English a cycle. You will want to have good flow going in the trash can and to be checking the levels of the water weekly.
Until you have 0 Nitrite then the cycle will be over and the rock will be safe to use in themain display.
The time span on how long you keep it in there all depends on how fast it cures.

gmatt · 02/03/2006, 06:13 AM

I've heard it's ok to use actinic light in limited supply to keep the coralin alge alive. Is this true?

shag26272 · 02/03/2006, 06:17 AM

lights wouldnt work in a trash can, and I know you wouldnt use them for cooking, you could cure rocsk with a lights if it was in a kiddie pool or something

shag26272 · 02/03/2006, 06:18 AM

Blown what im asking is would 2 months be too long? My tank is not set up and I wont have time until april or may and was wondering if 2 or 3 months would hurt anything

Blown 346 · 02/03/2006, 07:45 AM

2 months will be fine, as long you have the heater and water cicrculation. You can kep the rock in there for months that way.

02/03/2006, 05:47 AM	#1
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	Live Rock question??? If I put half base rock and half live rock in a trash can for a couple months with heaters and powerheads, would the base rock turn live? Or do I need lights?

02/03/2006, 06:10 AM	#3
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	ok and would 2 months work out ok? __________________ .

02/03/2006, 06:13 AM	#5
gmatt Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Boynton Beach, FL. Posts: 317	I've heard it's ok to use actinic light in limited supply to keep the coralin alge alive. Is this true? __________________ "It's the magic of risking everything for a dream that nobody sees but you." "Every day passes whether you participate or not. " Current Tank Info: 120 gal, 48x24x24 euro rim. Mostly Acros and Montipora Chalice, a couple of Acans I could not resist, 5 small fish.

02/03/2006, 06:17 AM	#6
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	lights wouldnt work in a trash can, and I know you wouldnt use them for cooking, you could cure rocsk with a lights if it was in a kiddie pool or something __________________ .

02/03/2006, 06:18 AM	#7
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	Blown what im asking is would 2 months be too long? My tank is not set up and I wont have time until april or may and was wondering if 2 or 3 months would hurt anything __________________ .

02/03/2006, 06:08 AM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	The base rock will become live either way, if it's in the tank together or in a trash can. The bacteria is what makes the rock live. If you are going to cure rock I reccomend no light, this will help avoid accessive algae growth.

02/03/2006, 07:45 AM	#8
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	2 months will be fine, as long you have the heater and water cicrculation. You can kep the rock in there for months that way.