Live Rock Question

[punkieg0]

I have live rock shipping out to me today from Gulf Live Rock to place in a new tank. I am seeing mixed info out there on how long I need to wait to add fish into the tank. My water will be ready for when the rock arrives in a few days and I have fish in my QT tank ready to go in. I have seen some say I just need to wait a day or 2 for everything to level out and others 7 days or more.
I plan on testing prior to putting them in but wanted to make sure I don't move too quickly, but I also need to get the fish out of their little QT tank.
It's my first time using live rock so I am trying to figure out how it all works.
Thanks!

 

[ScottR]

You just need some test kits. No one can tell you exactly what amount of time is needed. Maybe immediately and maybe a week. Also depends on what type of fish. Fish like damsels will hold up better than something like an anthias.

 

[Ron Reefman]

It depends on just how live your new live rock is.

If it has lots of life, like sponges, macro algae, barnacles, clams and more, you'll want to wait and do testing as a lot of that stuff (especially sponges, barnacles and clams) don't do well at all in a new tank. Most sponges don't do well in mature tanks! That die off can/will cause a spike in ammonia.

However, being very live it just may have enough bacteria to do the nitrogen cycling you need it to do. But it's best to wait until you can test ammonia levels at zero.

If it's just live rock with no macro life, you'll be able to get to zero ammonia in just a few hours to a day or two.

 

[punkieg0]

You just need some test kits. No one can tell you exactly what amount of time is needed. Maybe immediately and maybe a week. Also depends on what type of fish. Fish like damsels will hold up better than something like an anthias.

Thank you. Makes sense. My qt fish are a fire fish, yellow watchman and jawfish.

 

[ScottR]

Thank you. Makes sense. My qt fish are a fire fish, yellow watchman and jawfish.

Those fish aren’t too sensitive ime. But testing is key. Ammonia and nitrite. I never test when setting up an aquarium. But I use a good quality bacteria starter, live rock and I give the tank time to settle. Too much stuff going on in the early stages.

 

[punkieg0]

Those fish aren’t too sensitive ime. But testing is key. Ammonia and nitrite. I never test when setting up an aquarium. But I use a good quality bacteria starter, live rock and I give the tank time to settle. Too much stuff going on in the early stages.

Would you still add starter bacteria in with it as well? I have some BioSpira at home I could toss in.

 

[Fishy212]

Take your time! I say the slower the better, like everyone above said, it may take time depending on how “cured” that rock is. You might have unwanted hitchhikers you have to deal with as well. I think your current setup is fine. Just wait and see! Your tank is not going anywhere

 

[ScottR]

Would you still add starter bacteria in with it as well? I have some BioSpira at home I could toss in.

Why not? I would for peace of mind and there is no harm there.