will adding 20-30lbs of dry rock to an established tank that has about 10-15 lbs of live rock be okay? Will it cause a cycle? When I first started my tank with this 10lbs I never had the ugly stage like diatoms and I really want it to stay that way.
Adding more dry rock
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jeffchapok
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Dry rock should not cause a cycle, as you're not introducing anything biological into your tank, assuming there's nothing dead stashed away in the rock.
LilElroyJetson
Valuable Member
If there are any dead organics on the dry rock you will most likely experience some form of a mini cycle. If not I think you should be fine. How long has the tank been up?
SDK
Reef Diver
Probably no cycle but a heightened chance of uglies for a while. If you put bare rock in, there will not be coralline or other desirable organisms present on the rock surface to outcompete less desirable things.
Depending on what you mean by “established” I believe the dry rock will go through the full circle of being colonized by diatoms, algae, etc...
You can always just add a piece or two and see what happens first.
Is your tank months or years old?
Depending on what you mean by “established” I believe the dry rock will go through the full circle of being colonized by diatoms, algae, etc...
You can always just add a piece or two and see what happens first.
Is your tank months or years old?
LilElroyJetson
Valuable Member
Got it. If the dry rock was alive at some point and has dead organics on it I would move forward with the assumption that you may experience symptoms of a mini cycle. I don’t think it matters whether you add all of it at once or a smaller amount. Your tank is established but still very young, I’d say now’s the time to do it if you’re going to. Any reason why you want to add so much rock? Just curious. Personally I am a minimalist when it comes to rock in my tank because I don’t want to obstruct flow and like the look better.
SDK
Reef Diver
If it was my tank, I would add a couple of pieces and observe/test for Nitrate and Phosphate for a couple of weeks.
If you have any swings they will be less disruptive and you will have some space to formulate a plan for adding the rest.
If you have any swings they will be less disruptive and you will have some space to formulate a plan for adding the rest.
KrisReef
10K Club member
I would recommend putting the dry rock in a bucket of salt water and let that soak for a few days and then measure for phosphates and nitrates, especially if this dry rock is from an old tank. Dry rock of various origins can bring nutrients, sometimes in crazy high amounts that can ruin your current tank parameters. Measure before you add.
