Can live rock die?

gemini9 · Apr 5, 2014

When I first put water in the tank and set the salinity and temp, I bought about 2 pounds of cured live rock. I have since added 14 pounds of dry rock from brs and started the cycle with a shrimp. So I'm wondering if there was a chance I killed the "live" part of the rock during this cycling process or by adding dry rock. I'm going to town this weekend and plan on buying another 2 pounds of live rock (cured) so it will help seed the rest of the dry rock. I'm also ordering another 10 pounds of dry rock in a day or so. So... is there any chance the live part of the rock has died during the cycle? how much more live rock should I buy to help seed the dry rock? Sorry of the questions are dumb but I honestly have no idea.

I've been watching the couple pieces of live rock I have in there and I don't see anything on them. Shouldn't there be little.. bugs.. worms and pods and things on there? I don't see anything going on at all. Before I buy 2 more pounds this weekend I want to make sure it's okay to do so since the LFS wants 10 bucks per pound.

Reefing Madness · Apr 5, 2014

No, you didn't kill the Live Rock suring your cycling of the tank, it takes time for the critters and other things to actually bloom or pop up in the tank. Gotta give it some time.
Would would only need a couple of pounds of Live Rock to seed an entire tank of Dry Rock, thats all that needed. I'd personally only use dry rock, as I hate the dreaded hitch hickers in live rock.

gemini9 · Apr 5, 2014

ok. Well when i go back to LFS i'll buy 2-3 pounds live rock, order another 10 pounds of dry rock and call it a done deal. Thanks!

gemini9 · Apr 6, 2014

When I buy live rock at the lfs how long do I have to get it home before it starts to die off?

goathead · Apr 6, 2014

gemini9 said:
When I buy live rock at the lfs how long do I have to get it home before it starts to die off?

If you pack it correctly (wrapped in damp newspaper) you should really have all the time you need. It just needs to be kept from drying out and all will be well.

gemini9 · Apr 6, 2014

My lfs puts their rock in plastic air tight bags

Sully · Apr 6, 2014

Ask them if they'll wrap it in something like wet newspaper or some of the heavy duty commercial wet paper towels to keep it wet. Careful when handling, you never know what's in cured rock.