Re-establishing live rock

commodore · 10/27/2009, 11:53 AM

I have about 60 lbs of dry rock that used to be live. I want to re-establish it as live rock with coraline algae . I recently put it in a rubbermaid tub with salt water, a powerhead and a standard fluorescent strip light. I have added a couple of pieces of live rock and have been adding purple up.

Questions -

1. Will this do the trick? If not, what else should I be doing?
2. How long will it take?
3. How much lighting is needed and what kind of standard fluorescent bulbs (Home Depot/Lowes) should I be using?

Thanks

prop-frags · 11/28/2009, 10:43 AM

1) Add some live sand to your curing vat
2) It depends. You should read up on the difference between curing and cycling.
3) I don't think lighting is really necessary for either curing or cycling. For coraline growth, you will best get that from your existing live rock and it will take bright lights, good water chemistry, and time for that to happen.

imcosmokramer · 11/28/2009, 12:28 PM

1. I wouldn't add live sand. It's expensive and really is not needed.
2. well, life will start growing on the rock almost instantly. The longer you wait the better. Are you in a rush to use it?
3. You only need the light for Coraline growth, but make sure you add rock with substantial coraline on it, and even scrape some of it throughout the tank to help it spread.

don't forget a heater in there as well.

My SPS Tank
My Anemone Tank

10/27/2009, 11:53 AM	#1
commodore Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 274	Re-establishing live rock I have about 60 lbs of dry rock that used to be live. I want to re-establish it as live rock with coraline algae . I recently put it in a rubbermaid tub with salt water, a powerhead and a standard fluorescent strip light. I have added a couple of pieces of live rock and have been adding purple up. Questions - 1. Will this do the trick? If not, what else should I be doing? 2. How long will it take? 3. How much lighting is needed and what kind of standard fluorescent bulbs (Home Depot/Lowes) should I be using? Thanks

11/28/2009, 10:43 AM	#2
prop-frags SPS Slave Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,388	1) Add some live sand to your curing vat 2) It depends. You should read up on the difference between curing and cycling. 3) I don't think lighting is really necessary for either curing or cycling. For coraline growth, you will best get that from your existing live rock and it will take bright lights, good water chemistry, and time for that to happen. __________________ - Mike & Terry "Less technology, more biology ... indeed." - Gary White Current Tank Info: 200g temp garage tank

11/28/2009, 12:28 PM	#3
imcosmokramer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,709	1. I wouldn't add live sand. It's expensive and really is not needed. 2. well, life will start growing on the rock almost instantly. The longer you wait the better. Are you in a rush to use it? 3. You only need the light for Coraline growth, but make sure you add rock with substantial coraline on it, and even scrape some of it throughout the tank to help it spread. don't forget a heater in there as well. My SPS Tank My Anemone Tank __________________ You can agree with me, or you can be wrong. You pick.