Replacing rock

lewisrhoades · 09/02/2015, 09:49 AM

Hey guys I have a question regarding live rock removal. I have a 34g Solana that has some ugly live rock in wanting to remove and put in my biocube to get it cycling. I plan on replacing the rock in the solana with dry rock that's been soaking in rodi for a few weeks. I'm wondering how much the removal of this rock will affect my tank? I have a 2in sand bed and about 40lbs of rock in the tank right now. The rock I want to remove is about 3 lbs and is not porous at all. The tank is 6 months old and has 2 clowns, a firefish, a tailspot blenny, and a citron goby. Any help is appreciated.

Shawn O · 09/03/2015, 08:17 AM

If all the rock is small you could probably get away with removing a small rock, about 3-5lbs, and just put it back when the other tank is cycled.

thegrun · 09/03/2015, 08:41 PM

You should be fine, the general rule of thumb is it is safe to remove 10%, which is right about where you are at. I would go light on the feeding for the first week as a precaution, but unless your bio load is very high, things will be fine.

09/02/2015, 09:49 AM	#1
lewisrhoades Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 103	Replacing rock Hey guys I have a question regarding live rock removal. I have a 34g Solana that has some ugly live rock in wanting to remove and put in my biocube to get it cycling. I plan on replacing the rock in the solana with dry rock that's been soaking in rodi for a few weeks. I'm wondering how much the removal of this rock will affect my tank? I have a 2in sand bed and about 40lbs of rock in the tank right now. The rock I want to remove is about 3 lbs and is not porous at all. The tank is 6 months old and has 2 clowns, a firefish, a tailspot blenny, and a citron goby. Any help is appreciated.

09/03/2015, 08:17 AM	#2
Shawn O Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: People's Communist Republic of Massachusetts Posts: 1,474	If all the rock is small you could probably get away with removing a small rock, about 3-5lbs, and just put it back when the other tank is cycled. __________________ "55gal glass box full of water, rocks and some not-so-amused little fishes" 2x Occellaris, 1 Pajama, 1 Neon Dottyback. Current Tank Info: 55gal tank, sumpless, ReefOctopus Classic 90, Twin bulb T5.

09/03/2015, 08:41 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	You should be fine, the general rule of thumb is it is safe to remove 10%, which is right about where you are at. I would go light on the feeding for the first week as a precaution, but unless your bio load is very high, things will be fine.