Dry Rock Preparation

retiredsailor · Aug 18, 2015

I am getting ready to replace the live rock in my tank (which was originally dead rock) with some dry rock I got from Marine Depot. Specifically, AquaMaxx Eco-Rock Dry Live Rock.

What type of preparation do I need to perform on the dry rock before putting it in the tank? My plan is to move some of the live rock to other areas of the tank and then start introducing the dry rock in stages. While also removing the live rock in stages.

I am fully aware the live rock is a vital part of the biological filter and it will take a while for the dry rock to progress enough to be able to replace it.

So, as I mentioned, what, if any, type of preparation does the dry rock need to go through? I know it need s to be in the tank to begin taking on the live bacteria to replace the live rock. But, what do I have to do to make everything occur smoothly without any disasters or, god forbid, types of cycles?

Ian

The product in question: http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx...eef_Aquariums-AquaMaxx-UJ12111-FISSLR-vi.html

buckeye82 · Aug 18, 2015

Not saying this is the right way but this is what I did similar to what you are doing. I had my main tank which is two years old full of too much live rock for my liking. I wanted to remove some of the live rock and replace some of it with specific dry rock shelf pieces.

I started out by soaking the dry rock in R/O water for a few weeks. In the mean time I slowly pulled out bio balls from the sump and a few pieces of live rock from the main tank. I did get a very mini cycle that occurred in the tank with some brown algae on the sand bed (very light but noticeable) but all sps lps and fish are just fine.

So my advice is to do it slow and give it time to swap the pieces out so enough live rock stays until the dry gets ramped up.

retiredsailor · Aug 18, 2015

Thank you. This is the information I am looking for. I was planning on soaking but I wasn't certain of the water, to/di or salt, or the soak time, but I was planning on soaking it in a big tote in my basement to limit light exposure.

Is light something I should be concerned with?
Also, should I have an air stone in with it as well?

Ian

buckeye82 · Aug 18, 2015

Not sure on the air stone but I put my dry rock in a bucket full of R/O and soaked in the dark basement for a few weeks. I did change the water out of the bucket 2-3 times to keep it fresh and remove anything that leached out.

Orly20 · Aug 19, 2015

Good info from Buck! Ian, if you read the description of the rock, it's says that it has been cleaned and won't leach out any contaminates.
I am curious to hear from someone who has used this particular rock. I'll be following
Good luck Ian!

herozero · Aug 20, 2015

Absolutely, under any circumstances, do NOT put the dry rock in your tank before cooking it in acid or RO water. I made that mistake and just now am getting over the leakage after over a year. Terrible algae blooms. I almost tore the tank down (90g) to replace the rock and get rid of the algae.

Edsel Santoni · Aug 20, 2015

You can do it many different ways but here is what I prefer. Take each piece and wash them carefully with soapless fresh water. Try to get water through the pores and then srub throughly. Put it in a tank with a water prupulsor and leave overnight. The next day, test water and make sure all parameters are adequate. Put in tank

JDNels · Aug 20, 2015

From Aquamaxx about the Eco rock, "This new base rock from AquaMaxx is professionally cleaned and dried to ensure no pesky hitchhikers, pests or algae are introduced into your saltwater aquarium. AquaMaxx dry rock is not man-made; it is real calcium carbonate limestone-structured aragonite we quarry in Florida, far away from living coral reefs. It is completely reef-safe and will not leach any undesirable contaminants into your delicate saltwater system. Available in 3 box sizes: 10 lbs, 20 lbs. and 50 lbs"
I got 35lbs for my Cad 70 soaked in NSW in Brute for 1 week with flow ,No heat, P04 was almost undetectable with Hanna low range checker.
I liked the Pukani better but was out of stock and that rock does leach P04 for some time
Cycled with MB7 3 weeks new