Live rock question

pottersguy · 07/30/2007, 07:13 AM

Just wondering if live rock is still effective in holding beneficial bacteria if it's been out of water for months. Obviously, everything that did exist on it would have died off, but can new bacteria grow over time on it when placed back into an aquarium setting. The reason I ask is I have the chance to obtain +100 lbs. for free from a friend who hasn't used it in +4 months. In the mean time he let it dry out and stored it in plastic bins in his garage.
Thanks

SeanySean · 07/30/2007, 07:28 AM

Yes it is called Reef Bones and if seeded with normal LR will become LR in about 3 - 6 months

Sean

brownsugar · 07/30/2007, 07:29 AM

i guess you could use it as support for your rock structure / aqua-scaping together with the premium live rock you may purchase in the future.

inhabitants such as crabs and pods may migrate but i doubt it would be anything significant unless its given a very very long time even then i personally doubt it.

how does it smell btw that is a give away on how live/fresh your rock is ?

I know in some Pacific nations (Fiji) they used live rock to break down human waste in portable pit system toilets.

Not entirely sure if the rock was buried dry or there was an underground pit with water - could be helpful to your question on how live rock does out of water.

an411 · 07/30/2007, 07:30 AM

I don't think that there is any beneficial bacteria if its been out of water for that long. But with a piece of live rock that has been in the water it will seed the rock that you are getting from your friend

SaltyDr · 07/30/2007, 09:18 AM

You will need to cure this rock just like regualr LR. There will have been lots of die off and you'll have to cycle it. If you use this rock (base rock) and top it off with live rock (I would say at least 25%) in time it will become just like the other rock. You'll go through all of the various algae stages and in a few months the coralline will start growing. Bacteria will populate the rock, but this may take many months. If you go this route, just add your livestock very slowing. Lot's of people use base rock. Marco rocks seem popular around here and all seem quite happy. I say go for it.

Randall_James · 07/30/2007, 09:43 AM

The rock is essentially dead when you start like that. This will simply slow down your tank process by about 6 months as the rock repopulates with beneficial bacteria and other flora and fauna.

I would take advantage of this all the same and blast the rock clean with a pressure washer. (not a good idea with live rock) but it will blow out old detritus and dead organic matter.

Adding some fresh liverock will bring in some other critters that will have long since died in your rock (mini brittle stars, amphipods, copepods and numerous worm types as just a start)

I would be really patient about adding any livestock for a good 6 months so that these critters can reestablish without predation.

There will be someone that says you can add fish after the cycle, I would avoid this so that you can get the flora and fauna established. You can save a lot of money but you need to remember that it came at a cost.

pottersguy · 07/30/2007, 09:51 AM

I'm just looking to use it in a 150 gallon FOWLR setup. I'm not to overly concerned about critters, etc., just want the benefit of the bacteria. Would it take longer for the bacteria to build up in the rock due to the fact that the rock is currently completely dead? I'm not planning to use the live rock for anything other than aquascaping with the benfit of the bacteria. In that case am I still potentially o.k.?

Randall_James · 07/30/2007, 10:00 AM

FOWLR is a different story yes... the demands on the rock are a lot different.

There are a few different bacteria involved. Some convert ammonia to nitrites and then nitrites to nitrates, and finally nitrates to nitrogen.
The last group are not so much an issue as nitrates in a FO or FOWLR are just not very important (I have nitrates well into triple digits on FO/FOWLR without any issues). High nitrates in a reef tank however is bad news.

If you are just going to stick with the FOWLR, then just make sure the tank has cycled properly (nitrate levels will rise) and then add fish in a slow organized approach so that the bacteria can properly adjust to meet the bioload.

07/30/2007, 07:13 AM	#1
pottersguy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 63	Live rock question Just wondering if live rock is still effective in holding beneficial bacteria if it's been out of water for months. Obviously, everything that did exist on it would have died off, but can new bacteria grow over time on it when placed back into an aquarium setting. The reason I ask is I have the chance to obtain +100 lbs. for free from a friend who hasn't used it in +4 months. In the mean time he let it dry out and stored it in plastic bins in his garage. Thanks

07/30/2007, 07:28 AM	#2
SeanySean Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Manchester (UK) Posts: 885	Yes it is called Reef Bones and if seeded with normal LR will become LR in about 3 - 6 months Sean __________________ _______________ You paid how much for moldy rock!!!! Current Tank Info: 130G http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1042110

07/30/2007, 09:43 AM	#6
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	The rock is essentially dead when you start like that. This will simply slow down your tank process by about 6 months as the rock repopulates with beneficial bacteria and other flora and fauna. I would take advantage of this all the same and blast the rock clean with a pressure washer. (not a good idea with live rock) but it will blow out old detritus and dead organic matter. Adding some fresh liverock will bring in some other critters that will have long since died in your rock (mini brittle stars, amphipods, copepods and numerous worm types as just a start) I would be really patient about adding any livestock for a good 6 months so that these critters can reestablish without predation. There will be someone that says you can add fish after the cycle, I would avoid this so that you can get the flora and fauna established. You can save a lot of money but you need to remember that it came at a cost. __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

07/30/2007, 10:00 AM	#8
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	FOWLR is a different story yes... the demands on the rock are a lot different. There are a few different bacteria involved. Some convert ammonia to nitrites and then nitrites to nitrates, and finally nitrates to nitrogen. The last group are not so much an issue as nitrates in a FO or FOWLR are just not very important (I have nitrates well into triple digits on FO/FOWLR without any issues). High nitrates in a reef tank however is bad news. If you are just going to stick with the FOWLR, then just make sure the tank has cycled properly (nitrate levels will rise) and then add fish in a slow organized approach so that the bacteria can properly adjust to meet the bioload. __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

07/30/2007, 07:29 AM	#3
brownsugar Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 194	i guess you could use it as support for your rock structure / aqua-scaping together with the premium live rock you may purchase in the future. inhabitants such as crabs and pods may migrate but i doubt it would be anything significant unless its given a very very long time even then i personally doubt it. how does it smell btw that is a give away on how live/fresh your rock is ? I know in some Pacific nations (Fiji) they used live rock to break down human waste in portable pit system toilets. Not entirely sure if the rock was buried dry or there was an underground pit with water - could be helpful to your question on how live rock does out of water.

07/30/2007, 07:30 AM	#4
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	I don't think that there is any beneficial bacteria if its been out of water for that long. But with a piece of live rock that has been in the water it will seed the rock that you are getting from your friend

07/30/2007, 09:18 AM	#5
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	You will need to cure this rock just like regualr LR. There will have been lots of die off and you'll have to cycle it. If you use this rock (base rock) and top it off with live rock (I would say at least 25%) in time it will become just like the other rock. You'll go through all of the various algae stages and in a few months the coralline will start growing. Bacteria will populate the rock, but this may take many months. If you go this route, just add your livestock very slowing. Lot's of people use base rock. Marco rocks seem popular around here and all seem quite happy. I say go for it.

07/30/2007, 09:51 AM	#7
pottersguy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 63	I'm just looking to use it in a 150 gallon FOWLR setup. I'm not to overly concerned about critters, etc., just want the benefit of the bacteria. Would it take longer for the bacteria to build up in the rock due to the fact that the rock is currently completely dead? I'm not planning to use the live rock for anything other than aquascaping with the benfit of the bacteria. In that case am I still potentially o.k.?