Can I replace my live rock with dry rock?

[powerfulalex]

This is my first tank, so when I first purchased my live rock I didn’t realize how important (to me) what the rocks looked like together. I purchased 13 pounds of dry rock yesterday and I’m wondering how I can switch the rocks.

The tank has been up and running for about 8 months and there’s nothing in the tank (I went backpacking, plus I’m a student so I had to save to start up again) am I able to just put all the new rocks in and leave a couple live rocks in? How long after could I add a clean up crew?

 

[EmdeReef]

You can do that, assuming the dry rocks don’t have much decaying matter that could restart the cycle.

I would leave a couple live rocks in for about a week or shorter if you can test to allow the bacteria to colonize new rocks faster.

After a day or two, add some fish food or a small piece of shrimp in the evening in the tank and test for ammonia and nitrates in the morning, if zero ammonia and some nitrates you’re good to go.