Adding rock to an established tank?
- Thread starter Luka
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melypr1985
totally addicted
You can. Live rock is best because it's impact will be minimal if any at all. To add dry rock you're concerned with it not being cured. This will lead to leaching of bad things into the water along with whatever had died on the rock when it dried out. So it would be best to cure the dry rock first which can take months.
To wrap this up? Use live rock.
To wrap this up? Use live rock.
steve&mari
Blessed Reefer
Either add it in smaller amount at a time. If it's completely cured liverock shouldn't be any issues.
OP
OP
Luka
Active Member
Thanks, any recommendations where I can purchase cured live rock? And I have a 15 gallon tank, I want to add maybe 10 more pounds (Already have 10 in there) so how much should I add at a time or just throw all 10 in at once?
melypr1985
totally addicted
If it cured Real live rock then you shouldn't have any issues adding it at once. Your LFS should carry it or look on craigslist for a local reefer that is selling some. Although I'm a proponent of doing things slow. So, buy a rock and add it, then next week do it again. That's how i would do it.
Dtackett
Valuable Member
depending on your bank roll you can buy manufactured live rock. no hitch hikers, light weight (bigger rocks, less weight, more rock for your buck) fully established and you can dump in a ton at once without an issue. west mariculture sells it for 5 bucks a pound shipped I believe.
melypr1985
totally addicted
That's a good choice. I used Real Reef Rock which is about the same thing. Fully cured, Live rock already purple for you. My lfs sells it but you'd have to ask yours if they do.
There is not only one way of doing it... So here is mine: I still think the best cost benefit is Pukani. Very porous, and light weight. If you buy dry you are sure getting more surface than other options. It does need cleaned and cured. I usually do 15 days with RODI water changing water every day. That will take most of the leaching problems. If adding to a stablished tank I would soak it in saltwater a few days before adding to the tank. Good luck.
Wow. Lot of fear mongering.
I have put small dry rock in my DT sump many times with no zombie apocalypse. It's 55 gal so it will absorb excess nutrients of the rock as it begins to cycle.
If you start with dry put it in a bucket with a pump or power head and water from your last water change. Give it a couple weeks. It'll stink the first week and then stop stinking.
No skimmer no filter nothing.
Live rock I want hitchhiker a anyway. But you can order amazing live rock from many places. You can dip it if you want and it will kill all the micro brittle stars benificial worms etc.
I have put small dry rock in my DT sump many times with no zombie apocalypse. It's 55 gal so it will absorb excess nutrients of the rock as it begins to cycle.
If you start with dry put it in a bucket with a pump or power head and water from your last water change. Give it a couple weeks. It'll stink the first week and then stop stinking.
No skimmer no filter nothing.
Live rock I want hitchhiker a anyway. But you can order amazing live rock from many places. You can dip it if you want and it will kill all the micro brittle stars benificial worms etc.
It's not leaching. btw.
