Adding more dry rock

Bob Escher · Apr 22, 2016

well after I decided to glue ( or putty ) down my rock and discovered it wasn't going to work I put the rock in no order that I had it and realized that I needed ( or could )to add more rock.
According to Red Sea Reef Mature kit the tanks is about cycled. If I add more dry pukani rock how will it affects things with the finishing of the process

CodyRVA · Apr 22, 2016

There's been a lot of discussion lately around what is "dry" rock and what is "dead" rock. Dry rock is, DRY rock, it has no organic waste and the supplier usually cleans the rock before shipping. A quick rinse/bath of RODI and you can add it to your system at any time. If it's "dead" rock you'll need to cleanse it of the dead organics. These organics will introduce a massive amount of nitrate/phosphate into your system and in turn create a headache of algae issues, among others.

Bob Escher · Apr 22, 2016

No this rock was dead and dry dry dry from Bulk Reef supply. I did rinse it off. Had to remove some of my very small pieces of rock I had along with some rock that I got from Marco rocks ( flat on both side. But I know is padded more than I remove so it should be ok

fernalfer · Apr 22, 2016

Bob Escher said:
No this rock was dead and dry dry dry from Bulk Reef supply. I did rinse it off. Had to remove some of my very small pieces of rock I had along with some rock that I got from Marco rocks ( flat on both side. But I know is padded more than I remove so it should be ok

Pukani has a lot of dead organisms in it and has been known to have a lot of phosphates thats why i chose to stray from using it. I went with Marco Dry Rock because it is mined from a quarry and cleaned. True dry rock with no dead organisms. BUT and big BUT, the Marco Rock leaches Phosphates as well. Mine have been in 2 44 gallon Brute tubs for 2 months while dealing with the phosphate issue. Would rather deal with it outside my tank where it can't wreck havoc with algae. My first Phosphate reading with the Marco Rock was 0.225 with the Hanna Checker. Dosing it with phosfree for the last 2 months i have finally got it to stay at 0.02 consistently. Finally all or most of the phosphates have been released and i can start my cycle soon.

For you adding Pukani, i would cure it and check for phosphates before adding to tank just my opinion

Bob Escher · Apr 22, 2016

Even if this rock was very dry it was in a plastic bag and had plenty of dust on it but will watch the phosphates.

fernalfer · Apr 22, 2016

Bob Escher said:
Even if this rock was very dry it was in a plastic bag and had plenty of dust on it but will watch the phosphates.

Yeah my Marco Rock was Dry and dusty. Very clean rock but phosphates were crazy unfortunately

Bob Escher · Apr 22, 2016

Thanks the phosphates wouldn't be enough to kill of snails and crabs

fernalfer · Apr 22, 2016

Bob Escher said:
Thanks the phosphates wouldn't be enough to kill of snails and crabs

No just will promote algae growth that we don't want.

Bob Escher · Apr 22, 2016

That a problem we're having as well and we can't figure it out

fernalfer · Apr 22, 2016

I can guarantee it is the rock you have in it now. And the problem is even if you test for phosphates inside your tank it will give you a false reading because the algae consumes the phosphates that are in the water feeding it as it continues to leech from your rock

Bob Escher · Apr 22, 2016

I don't have any algae as yet I'm just trying to finish the cycling and I had snail in there ( using he Red Sea reef mature kit said to and they died can't figured out way I am using a poly pad to help things