Changing out aquascape/rock

Mr. GoodStuff · Apr 5, 2022

Currently have a 60 gallon cube and I've been eyeing the art reef rock aquascapes for a bit now and finally ready to buy but trying to figure out the best course to get it switched out in my tank. I can't fit the new structure in the tank with the existing rock so that is out of the question. My next option I was thinking was to fit a bigger sump for my system which I planned on doing anyways (20g to 40g) and put the current rock work in the sump and put the new structure in the display. Looking for some suggestions or opinions if this would be a good idea or not and why.

DeniseAndy · Apr 5, 2022

When I want to add rock to my system I always throw it in the sump a few weeks first. Now, I am lucky as I have a large sump and plenty of room.
If you do not have this, just get a bin to hold enough water over your rock structure. Fill with saltwater and maybe a nice rock from your tank to seed.
Throw in a powerhead and heat if needed and let it go for a few weeks. Maybe add some fish food in there every now and then from some bacteria food, but keep it dark to prevent algae growing.
Live rock!

Mr. GoodStuff · Apr 5, 2022

DeniseAndy said:
When I want to add rock to my system I always throw it in the sump a few weeks first. Now, I am lucky as I have a large sump and plenty of room.
If you do not have this, just get a bin to hold enough water over your rock structure. Fill with saltwater and maybe a nice rock from your tank to seed.
Throw in a powerhead and heat if needed and let it go for a few weeks. Maybe add some fish food in there every now and then from some bacteria food, but keep it dark to prevent algae growing.
Live rock!

Yeah that was the plan but I was going to take ALL my existing rock and move it into the sump and add ALL the new rock into the display just not sure if that would be too much new rock added at one time and cause more bad than good.

DeniseAndy · Apr 5, 2022

I would do that only if the rock was cured first for a while. Probably not an issue depending on qty, but to be safe, I would do the sump first then display.