LR or DR??

adeliel · 07/19/2006, 10:02 AM

I just started up a tank...and got free 50lbs LR (supposedly) from my friend, from his tank (he is going on a travel of sorts). Anyways, the LR were in buckets semi submerged for about a week, before I put them in the water and got the water all in and the set up, up and running. I just want to know, how I can tell if the rock is dead or not?? I have a test kit, would that help?....A hitchhiking blue legged hermit survived...i don't know how....anyways.....how would i really know if the LR is now Dead Rock (DR)

Jim_Leyland · 07/19/2006, 10:06 AM

even if its "dead" it will become live with time.. if its alive still you should start to see coralline growth in a few months time.. test kits won't help determine if its alive or dead sorry

adeliel · 07/19/2006, 10:23 AM

that's what I initially thought, but i'm only like a lil over a week in in the cycling process and the rock is turning browish...

rustybucket145 · 07/19/2006, 11:00 AM

What you are seeing is probably Diatoms, a brown 'powdery' type algae. In a new tank you are likely to go through several 'algal stages' of differing colors (ie, brown, green, purple) during and after the cycle is complete. The best thing to do is to ride it out. Keep up with water changes and make sure your skimmer is working. Also after the cycle you should purchase a 'clean up crew' consisting of a variety of snails and hermit crabs. They should keep the majority of the algae under control and your tank looking nice and clean. They are called 'Janitors' for a reason.

Good Luck, welcome to a great hobby and remember patience is the most valuable asset in this hobby.

jerehmy · 07/19/2006, 11:02 AM

you caould always smeel it and see if its real stinky then you may of had some die off. If it smells like a wet rock your probaly o.k.

Good Luck

07/19/2006, 10:02 AM	#1
adeliel Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 190	LR or DR?? I just started up a tank...and got free 50lbs LR (supposedly) from my friend, from his tank (he is going on a travel of sorts). Anyways, the LR were in buckets semi submerged for about a week, before I put them in the water and got the water all in and the set up, up and running. I just want to know, how I can tell if the rock is dead or not?? I have a test kit, would that help?....A hitchhiking blue legged hermit survived...i don't know how....anyways.....how would i really know if the LR is now Dead Rock (DR)

07/19/2006, 11:00 AM	#4
rustybucket145 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: valdosta, ga Posts: 3,707	What you are seeing is probably Diatoms, a brown 'powdery' type algae. In a new tank you are likely to go through several 'algal stages' of differing colors (ie, brown, green, purple) during and after the cycle is complete. The best thing to do is to ride it out. Keep up with water changes and make sure your skimmer is working. Also after the cycle you should purchase a 'clean up crew' consisting of a variety of snails and hermit crabs. They should keep the majority of the algae under control and your tank looking nice and clean. They are called 'Janitors' for a reason. Good Luck, welcome to a great hobby and remember patience is the most valuable asset in this hobby. __________________ 400gals of various tanks in the same system. Current Tank Info: 2 175w MH, 2 VH0 Actinics, Lots of Live Rock, tons of copepods, a Fat Mandarin Goby, Niger Trigger, Yellow Tang, Falco Hawkfish, Bi-Color Pseudo, numerous soft, SPS and LPS Corals

07/19/2006, 11:02 AM	#5
jerehmy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: san diego Posts: 511	you caould always smeel it and see if its real stinky then you may of had some die off. If it smells like a wet rock your probaly o.k. Good Luck __________________ Fish are the best medecine for body and mind Current Tank Info: 55g, 40g, 29gx2, 60g, 10g African Cichlids (Breeders) 40g SW Reef with a 20g sump/refugium 75lbs prime LR Mag 9.5 SCWD and Remora skimmer, 2x96w PC's

07/19/2006, 10:06 AM	#2
Jim_Leyland Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent, Ohio Posts: 924	even if its "dead" it will become live with time.. if its alive still you should start to see coralline growth in a few months time.. test kits won't help determine if its alive or dead sorry

07/19/2006, 10:23 AM	#3
adeliel Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 190	that's what I initially thought, but i'm only like a lil over a week in in the cycling process and the rock is turning browish...