dry dead rock in a established reef?

tamortman · 10/31/2010, 04:59 PM

I just bought some great dry rock my questions is will it mess up my tank if i add some to it. i have a 210 with 200-250 lbs live rock been there for 2 1/2 years i want to add 50lbs of this dry rock to the tank the rock was in a reef tank two years ago hasn't seen water since then any info will help has anyone done this and had no issues thanks tyler

ctrl+f · 10/31/2010, 05:20 PM

Why wouldn't you cure it in a rubbermaid bin first? Better safe than sorry.

mfinn · 10/31/2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctrl+f

Why wouldn't you cure it in a rubbermaid bin first? Better safe than sorry.

What's to cure? It's dry rock.

You already have 200 to 250lbs in a 210 and your adding more? Sounds like alot.
I've added dry rock in the sump of my 240 a couple times to colonize it with bacteria, I see no difference adding it to a tank.

The Velvet Sea · 10/31/2010, 06:37 PM

Depending on the source of the rock, it can be dry and still have decay when the rock rehydrates. I just got some dry rock from BRS and found dead and dry critters that will definitely decay when put into a tank. I wouldn't put this rock straight into an established reef. Other rock maybe; like I said, depends on the source.

Edit: More closely resembling the original poster's situation. I had tank crash after a hurricane power outage. I tore the tank down and kept the rock dry for a year. Even though the rock dried, it was still kinda nasty when I set the tank back up with it.

tamortman · 10/31/2010, 07:16 PM

It really isn't to much plus i want to put a bunch in the sump sounds like i better cure it in a rubbermaid. is it ok that i don't have another skimmer to run in with just the rock as long as i have a powerhead?

Pallobi · 10/31/2010, 08:20 PM

cure it if you feel the need... but it is jus dry rock... but ifyou do cure it, imo you dont need the skimmer for it, jus let it run a while, and change the water a couple times and your good to go imo... but again, its jus dry rock, i feel you can jus add it whenever you want... GL with whatever you choose

Bretts05jeep · 10/31/2010, 08:27 PM

I added dry rock a few times, without any problems. If your worred about it only add a little at a time. I wouldnt waste the time cureing it. It will establish bacteria much faster IMO.

Pallobi · 10/31/2010, 08:37 PM

agreed

badwrasse · 10/31/2010, 09:08 PM

you have way more than enough rock in your tank already to handle any decay, but i would soak it in a rubbermaid for a week or two to test for any PO4 leaching. other than that drop it in.

tamortman · 11/01/2010, 09:03 AM

thanks for all the info

10/31/2010, 04:59 PM	#1
tamortman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 54	dry dead rock in a established reef? I just bought some great dry rock my questions is will it mess up my tank if i add some to it. i have a 210 with 200-250 lbs live rock been there for 2 1/2 years i want to add 50lbs of this dry rock to the tank the rock was in a reef tank two years ago hasn't seen water since then any info will help has anyone done this and had no issues thanks tyler __________________ 210 gal inwall

10/31/2010, 07:16 PM	#5
tamortman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 54	It really isn't to much plus i want to put a bunch in the sump sounds like i better cure it in a rubbermaid. is it ok that i don't have another skimmer to run in with just the rock as long as i have a powerhead? __________________ 210 gal inwall

10/31/2010, 08:20 PM	#6
Pallobi CTARS, BRS & OSRAS Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 7,001	cure it if you feel the need... but it is jus dry rock... but ifyou do cure it, imo you dont need the skimmer for it, jus let it run a while, and change the water a couple times and your good to go imo... but again, its jus dry rock, i feel you can jus add it whenever you want... GL with whatever you choose __________________ Zoas & Palys

10/31/2010, 08:37 PM	#8
Pallobi CTARS, BRS & OSRAS Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 7,001	agreed __________________ Zoas & Palys

10/31/2010, 09:08 PM	#9
badwrasse Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. louis Posts: 1,203	you have way more than enough rock in your tank already to handle any decay, but i would soak it in a rubbermaid for a week or two to test for any PO4 leaching. other than that drop it in. __________________ GOT CRABS? Current Tank Info: 90gal RR,rock wall in progress, MRC sump, reef octopus XP2000I skimmer, marineland pro lighting 2-150w MH 4-54w T5's, hydor wavemaker with 2 #4 controllable pumps, and QuietOne 4000HH return pump.

10/31/2010, 05:20 PM	#2
ctrl+f Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 174	Why wouldn't you cure it in a rubbermaid bin first? Better safe than sorry.

10/31/2010, 06:37 PM	#4
The Velvet Sea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 450	Depending on the source of the rock, it can be dry and still have decay when the rock rehydrates. I just got some dry rock from BRS and found dead and dry critters that will definitely decay when put into a tank. I wouldn't put this rock straight into an established reef. Other rock maybe; like I said, depends on the source. Edit: More closely resembling the original poster's situation. I had tank crash after a hurricane power outage. I tore the tank down and kept the rock dry for a year. Even though the rock dried, it was still kinda nasty when I set the tank back up with it.

10/31/2010, 08:27 PM	#7
Bretts05jeep Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: McHenry, IL Posts: 510	I added dry rock a few times, without any problems. If your worred about it only add a little at a time. I wouldnt waste the time cureing it. It will establish bacteria much faster IMO.

11/01/2010, 09:03 AM	#10
tamortman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 54	thanks for all the info __________________ 210 gal inwall

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