Help! Should I remove live rock? I just want simple tank

[Htubild1]

Hi, I'm Heather,
I just started my saltwater tank 3-4 weeks ago and told the aquarium shop owner that I wanted the simplest tank possible. She sold me a live rock and now that I'm reading about it, I think I made a mistake. First of all, I never cured it (I think I remember her scraping it off in the store in a bucket, but I don't know if that was good enough). I'm afraid of things on the rock dying and poisoning the tank. Should I just take the rock out? I have live sand in there too. I probably should have just gone with fish only with no live rock or sand, right?

P.S. I haven't added any fish yet but I noticed a starfish and snail in there yesterday that must have hitched a ride.

 

[threebuoys]

Well, since the live rock has been in the tank for 3 - 4 weeks, any hitchhikers are already in the tank as you've seen. So, to remove them you'd basically have to start all over. If they were going to die, they probably would have already.

If you remove the live rock, you will need to decide how / where you want to house the bacteria necessary to process ammonia/nitrite into nitrate - basically the nitrogen cycle.

Other options are available, but live rock is the predominate method.

 

[vanpire]

Well, since the live rock has been in the tank for 3 - 4 weeks, any hitchhikers are already in the tank as you've seen. So, to remove them you'd basically have to start all over. If they were going to die, they probably would have already.

If you remove the live rock, you will need to decide how / where you want to house the bacteria necessary to process ammonia/nitrite into nitrate - basically the nitrogen cycle.

Other options are available, but live rock is the predominate method.

Actual live rock is pretty awesome. Agreed that 3-4 weeks is enough time for any die-off. I would just test your ammonia (and nitrite if you are really paranoid). If the levels are within acceptable range, you are good to go.

Now, with that you might have some unwanted hitchhikers, but the benefit outweigh the risks.

 

[mdb_talon]

In my opinion a SW aquarium should always have live rock somewhere in the system I dont think you have done anything wrong at all.

 

[Jekyl]

When I started my tank I went to 4 different LFS and added live rock and substrate from each. Don't be afraid of what comes with it. May be some bad, but the good outweighs it.

 

[Reef.]

I would first work out what you want, do you want sand, do you want rock, what is your idea of simple.

Once you know the answer, it’ll be easy enough to go from there.

Keep in mine your choices will decide on what fish you can keep, if you have any fish in mind that you must have, list them here so people can suggest appropriate setups.

I would say tho that rock is probably needed as most fish will use it in some way, hiding, a break from the flow, or even just for somewhere to sleep.

 

[Tamberav]

Hi, I'm Heather,
I just started my saltwater tank 3-4 weeks ago and told the aquarium shop owner that I wanted the simplest tank possible. She sold me a live rock and now that I'm reading about it, I think I made a mistake. First of all, I never cured it (I think I remember her scraping it off in the store in a bucket, but I don't know if that was good enough). I'm afraid of things on the rock dying and poisoning the tank. Should I just take the rock out? I have live sand in there too. I probably should have just gone with fish only with no live rock or sand, right?

P.S. I haven't added any fish yet but I noticed a starfish and snail in there yesterday that must have hitched a ride.

I love live rock and find it to be the simplest way to keep a tank. You just need to let it cycle first.

All the bacteria and such is there and it’s easy to skip Dino and algae issues. Dino is terrible and more common with dry rock so it’s not like dry is some easy for sure method. It has its own potential issues.

I think the internet is full of a lot of crap lol

This is my tank with two pieces of live rock and all I do is water changes. I did live rock so the tank would be mature quickly.

 

[Rubberfrog]

Keep the rock, it is an essential part of your water filtration. At this point, it is most likely cured.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

I used dry rock. Less expensive, but comes with its own problems also. Agree with leave it, as whatever was in there is already in there. Using live rock used to be the benchmark of this hobby. Both dry and live have its pros and cons.

Also, when you get snails, things are gonna hitch a ride. Lots of vectors that allow things we can't see into our aquariums.

Enjoy the tank. Let everything cycle. Take your time. Be patient. And have fun

 

[brandon429]

post a pic of this rock, a full tank shot of the tank


I need a pic for my skip cycle live rock thread.

your LFS is suspect now




of selling you the best rock possible, who are they I want their names