adding more Live Rock to the tank

drcarr · 03/02/2010, 01:23 AM

hello everyone!
i need to add about 70 more pounds of LR to a tank i just took over.

searching craigslist in my local area pulled up a few people that have LR for sale but most of it has a fair amount of green hair algae on it.

is this a big deal? i was thinking of scrubbing it in old tank water and then adding it to the tank.

another option would be to keep it in a blacked out trashcan with power head for a couple weeks before adding to my tank.

any advice is much appreciated...
thanks!

Michael · 03/02/2010, 02:22 AM

firstly dont add too much at once, a few pounds every week or so, secondly i wouldnt touch rock with any nusience algae on it if its live, best to buy clean high quality, or just dead rock and cure it yourself then add when cycled,jmo

thegrun · 03/02/2010, 08:55 AM

If you get a great deal on it, it may be worth the trouble of keeping it in the dark for a month or so, although I would worry about what other problems the rock may contain (like high phosphates). Definitely don't just scrub it, hair algae is a PITA to get rid of, and scrubbing the surface will not kill it off.

drcarr · 03/02/2010, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the help!
So put the rock in a light tight container with a powerhead for a month after manual removal as best I can? I'm assuming a weekly water change would be good as well?
The rock is $2/lb locally.
I may just keep looking for cleaner rock that I could directly add to the tank.

Sugar Magnolia · 03/03/2010, 09:24 AM

It's really up to you. $2/lb is a great deal, but you'll be dealing with the hair algae. Personally, I'd steer clear of someone else's algae problems. I'd pay a few bucks more to get clean LR.

blrrobinson21 · 03/03/2010, 09:30 AM

Can rock actually absorb phosphates and leach it out over time. I didint know this.

Chiefsurfer · 03/03/2010, 09:31 AM

^+1

You don't know, the rock may have absorbed phosphates and this might be something you would have to deal with for months, maybe even a year.

footballdude2k3 · 03/03/2010, 09:57 AM

this would essentially be base rock, google bulk reef supply and look at their base rock prices.

blrrobinson21 · 03/03/2010, 10:35 AM

Well that sucks. Good to know though, thanks. Drcarr, you might check out marco rocks. He has base rock that is awesome. Its not live but It wont take to long in an established tank.

drcarr · 03/03/2010, 11:14 PM

wow marcos rock looks like pretty good stuff!
not sure if i want to go thru the hassle of cycling it separate and adding it to the tank in 4-6 weeks. i was hoping to find a local sale of already cured rock i could immediately add to my red sea max 250.
maybe i'll keep looking...

03/02/2010, 01:23 AM	#1
drcarr Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 105	adding more Live Rock to the tank hello everyone! i need to add about 70 more pounds of LR to a tank i just took over. searching craigslist in my local area pulled up a few people that have LR for sale but most of it has a fair amount of green hair algae on it. is this a big deal? i was thinking of scrubbing it in old tank water and then adding it to the tank. another option would be to keep it in a blacked out trashcan with power head for a couple weeks before adding to my tank. any advice is much appreciated... thanks!

03/02/2010, 02:22 AM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	firstly dont add too much at once, a few pounds every week or so, secondly i wouldnt touch rock with any nusience algae on it if its live, best to buy clean high quality, or just dead rock and cure it yourself then add when cycled,jmo __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

03/03/2010, 09:24 AM	#5
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	It's really up to you. $2/lb is a great deal, but you'll be dealing with the hair algae. Personally, I'd steer clear of someone else's algae problems. I'd pay a few bucks more to get clean LR. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

03/03/2010, 09:31 AM	#7
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	^+1 You don't know, the rock may have absorbed phosphates and this might be something you would have to deal with for months, maybe even a year. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

03/02/2010, 08:55 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	If you get a great deal on it, it may be worth the trouble of keeping it in the dark for a month or so, although I would worry about what other problems the rock may contain (like high phosphates). Definitely don't just scrub it, hair algae is a PITA to get rid of, and scrubbing the surface will not kill it off.

03/02/2010, 07:15 PM	#4
drcarr Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 105	Thanks for the help! So put the rock in a light tight container with a powerhead for a month after manual removal as best I can? I'm assuming a weekly water change would be good as well? The rock is $2/lb locally. I may just keep looking for cleaner rock that I could directly add to the tank.

03/03/2010, 09:30 AM	#6
blrrobinson21 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Posts: 201	Can rock actually absorb phosphates and leach it out over time. I didint know this.

03/03/2010, 09:57 AM	#8
footballdude2k3 Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,974	this would essentially be base rock, google bulk reef supply and look at their base rock prices.

03/03/2010, 10:35 AM	#9
blrrobinson21 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Posts: 201	Well that sucks. Good to know though, thanks. Drcarr, you might check out marco rocks. He has base rock that is awesome. Its not live but It wont take to long in an established tank.

03/03/2010, 11:14 PM	#10
drcarr Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 105	wow marcos rock looks like pretty good stuff! not sure if i want to go thru the hassle of cycling it separate and adding it to the tank in 4-6 weeks. i was hoping to find a local sale of already cured rock i could immediately add to my red sea max 250. maybe i'll keep looking...