add dead base rock to established tank??

saltyESQ · 07/29/2006, 09:50 PM

can I just add it or will it possibly cause my tank to cycle?

I the tank is established for almost 2 years and I have about 60lbs of rock in the tank atm.
I just picked up 54lbs of base shelf rock, can I just add it to the tank?

JenDub · 07/29/2006, 10:09 PM

I would hydrate it in a container with synthetic saltwater and let it soak at least for two days with circulation before adding to my tank. Test for ammonia & nitrites before adding also just to be safe

Bebo77 · 07/29/2006, 10:27 PM

i just put the base rock that i had in my tank... nothing went wrong.

NALCOMIS · 07/30/2006, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JenDub
I would hydrate it in a container with synthetic saltwater and let it soak at least for two days with circulation before adding to my tank. Test for ammonia & nitrites before adding also just to be safe

I agree! test for copper too.

energy_crisis · 07/30/2006, 01:59 AM

If it's dead live-rock wouldn't there be remnants of organisms in its crevices?

Better take JenDub's suggestion; better safe than sorry.

JenDub · 07/30/2006, 02:24 AM

The bacteria in your tank can handle some ammonia & nitrite, the question is how much the rock will produce. If you keep sps I'd say add it slowly if you are putting it right in. Test along the way for ammonia.

Saltwater is a lot cheaper than replacing corals/fish. You could also do a water change & keep the tank water to put the rock in, just be sure to keep the water airated during the move or it will have some die-off.

Didn't even think about copper-that sure would suck!

saltyESQ · 07/30/2006, 12:26 PM

i picked up the rock from a fellow reefer and it is going into a fowlr tank

moonpod · 07/30/2006, 12:40 PM

Personally I'd fully cure the stuff. In my last tank I used predominantly dead tonga branch supplemented with some very, very live stuff. I cured it for like a month and that water was NOT pleasant. And this rock was DEAD. It's the stuff sitting in the bins outside of Pacaquafarms just baking away in the sunlight.

Bebo77 · 07/30/2006, 01:23 PM

maybe it a good thing i put it into the 60 gallon i have in the garage and not the 300 lol

saltyESQ · 07/31/2006, 12:00 PM

what if I add 15lbs at a time to my main display?

818 · 07/31/2006, 12:24 PM

I had around 125lbs of LR, then I added around 20lbs of dead rock and my water turned yellow, and it smelled like ****. I then got cyano, but luckily my cleanup crew came in on time with Gabriel, and I ran carbon 24/7.

My water was clear, and didnst smell after the carbon. I didnt have a skimmer at the time.

Sam

WarDaddy · 07/31/2006, 01:02 PM

I would cure it in a tub of saltwater with a powerhead for a month.

I have found that dead rock added to an established tank will turn into an algea nightmare.

07/29/2006, 09:50 PM	#1
saltyESQ Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Southern Cali Posts: 4,462	add dead base rock to established tank?? can I just add it or will it possibly cause my tank to cycle? I the tank is established for almost 2 years and I have about 60lbs of rock in the tank atm. I just picked up 54lbs of base shelf rock, can I just add it to the tank?

07/29/2006, 10:09 PM	#2
JenDub Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 2,785	I would hydrate it in a container with synthetic saltwater and let it soak at least for two days with circulation before adding to my tank. Test for ammonia & nitrites before adding also just to be safe __________________ Jen & Charles; Reefing's Dynamic Duo =) Got a Propagation Question? Feel Free to Ask/PM/Email! Current Tank Info: 700g Coral Propagation System & 120g LPS Display

07/29/2006, 10:27 PM	#3
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	i just put the base rock that i had in my tank... nothing went wrong. __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams

07/30/2006, 02:24 AM	#6
JenDub Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 2,785	The bacteria in your tank can handle some ammonia & nitrite, the question is how much the rock will produce. If you keep sps I'd say add it slowly if you are putting it right in. Test along the way for ammonia. Saltwater is a lot cheaper than replacing corals/fish. You could also do a water change & keep the tank water to put the rock in, just be sure to keep the water airated during the move or it will have some die-off. Didn't even think about copper-that sure would suck! __________________ Jen & Charles; Reefing's Dynamic Duo =) Got a Propagation Question? Feel Free to Ask/PM/Email! Current Tank Info: 700g Coral Propagation System & 120g LPS Display

07/30/2006, 12:40 PM	#8
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	Personally I'd fully cure the stuff. In my last tank I used predominantly dead tonga branch supplemented with some very, very live stuff. I cured it for like a month and that water was NOT pleasant. And this rock was DEAD. It's the stuff sitting in the bins outside of Pacaquafarms just baking away in the sunlight. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

07/30/2006, 01:59 AM	#5
energy_crisis Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: OC Posts: 391	If it's dead live-rock wouldn't there be remnants of organisms in its crevices? Better take JenDub's suggestion; better safe than sorry.

07/30/2006, 12:26 PM	#7
saltyESQ Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Southern Cali Posts: 4,462	i picked up the rock from a fellow reefer and it is going into a fowlr tank

07/30/2006, 01:23 PM	#9
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	maybe it a good thing i put it into the 60 gallon i have in the garage and not the 300 lol __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams

07/31/2006, 12:00 PM	#10
saltyESQ Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Southern Cali Posts: 4,462	what if I add 15lbs at a time to my main display?

07/31/2006, 12:24 PM	#11
818 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,759	I had around 125lbs of LR, then I added around 20lbs of dead rock and my water turned yellow, and it smelled like ****. I then got cyano, but luckily my cleanup crew came in on time with Gabriel, and I ran carbon 24/7. My water was clear, and didnst smell after the carbon. I didnt have a skimmer at the time. Sam __________________ I'll be back.

07/31/2006, 01:02 PM	#12
WarDaddy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 4,019	I would cure it in a tub of saltwater with a powerhead for a month. I have found that dead rock added to an established tank will turn into an algea nightmare. __________________ --Bryan I Brake for FRAGS! Current Tank Info: 50 Gallon DIY cube