Adding Live Rock to solve tank issues (algae, dinos, etc)?

Newtybar · Jan 28, 2019

I started my tank with Marco Rocks over two years ago (wanted to start clean with no hitchhikers) and it hasn't ramped up as I would have liked. The rocks eventually did get covered in coralline, which somehow died off (turned white) about 2 months ago. Not sure what caused it but ever since I've had some bad dino problems.

I'm beginning to think it is the lack of biodiversity and purchased some live rock (purchased from KP Aquatics). Do you think adding about 15 lbs of it (to a 100 gallon tank with existing 75 lbs of rock) would help? I expect nothing to happen in the beginning, but if the stuff on the live rock spreads to my existing rock it may do something...or at least I hope.

Also - I also bought 20 lbs more of Marco Rock. Will there be any issues if I cure both the live and dry rock in the same bin?

Hemmdog · Jan 28, 2019

Newtybar said:
I started my tank with Marco Rocks over two years ago (wanted to start clean with no hitchhikers) and it hasn't ramped up as I would have liked. The rocks eventually did get covered in coralline, which somehow died off (turned white) about 2 months ago. Not sure what caused it but ever since I've had some bad dino problems.

I'm beginning to think it is the lack of biodiversity and purchased some live rock (purchased from KP Aquatics). Do you think adding about 15 lbs of it (to a 100 gallon tank with existing 75 lbs of rock) would help? I expect nothing to happen in the beginning, but if the stuff on the live rock spreads to my existing rock it may do something...or at least I hope.

Also - I also bought 20 lbs more of Marco Rock. Will there be any issues if I cure both the live and dry rock in the same bin?

If your coraline died it’s most likely and alk issue. Adding a single frag would give you the same benefit/result as a new rock. Your tank will recycle anytime you add something that big, I wouldn’t recommend it imo

Newtybar · Jan 29, 2019

Hemmdog said:
If your coraline died it’s most likely and alk issue. Adding a single frag would give you the same benefit/result as a new rock. Your tank will recycle anytime you add something that big, I wouldn’t recommend it imo

Even if I cure it for 6 weeks in a separate bin using my tank water?

Hemmdog · Jan 29, 2019

Newtybar said:
Even if I cure it for 6 weeks in a separate bin using my tank water?

That won’t give you new bio diversity, I thought that was your goal.

Newtybar · Jan 29, 2019

Hemmdog said:
That won’t give you new bio diversity, I thought that was your goal.

I figure the life on the live rock would continue to live? This is what I am planning to buy:

https://www.kpaquatics.com/product/aquacultured-live-rock/

Hemmdog · Jan 29, 2019

Newtybar said:
I figure the life on the live rock would continue to live? This is what I am planning to buy:

https://www.kpaquatics.com/product/aquacultured-live-rock/

Most of it will die off, some may live. It could also introduce hitchhikers you don’t want, I wouldn’t do that.

Jonreefer · Jan 29, 2019

Hemmdog said:
Most of it will die off, some may live. It could also introduce hitchhikers you don’t want, I wouldn’t do that.

it wont die off if its in water with a pump. It will help seed all of that biodiversity to all the other rock in the bin as well. sure maybe some of the macro that may be on it will die off from no light but all the bacteria and sponges and such wont.