Live rock Vs Dry rock

[lapin]

There's probably at least a hundred threads on this debate...lol.

Closer to 400 than 100

 

[PicassoDan]

This is a timely discussion for me. The wrinkle for me is that I have a 1 year old 40 gallon tank that I need to connect to a brand new 120 gallon. The 40 is nice and stable and has about 40 lbs of live rock in it. Lots of nice critters, purple, etc.
Should I bring the 120 online separately, and then once it's looks stable, turn the valve so they're both connected? And do I use dry or live? I'd like to be able to connect them within a month or two...
What would happen if I used all dry rock, brought the new tank up to temp (matching Alk, Ca, etc) and connected within a couple days?

 

[alton]

Here is a picture of 50 lbs I got in from KP Aquatics in a 100 gallon rubbermaid tub to show you how much you get. Sometimes we get lost in the price per pound which can be misleading because some rock weighs like concrete and other is light weight. I will take a picture later with just white light

 

[lapin]

This is a timely discussion for me. The wrinkle for me is that I have a 1 year old 40 gallon tank that I need to connect to a brand new 120 gallon. The 40 is nice and stable and has about 40 lbs of live rock in it. Lots of nice critters, purple, etc.
Should I bring the 120 online separately, and then once it's looks stable, turn the valve so they're both connected? And do I use dry or live? I'd like to be able to connect them within a month or two...
What would happen if I used all dry rock, brought the new tank up to temp (matching Alk, Ca, etc) and connected within a couple days?

My ipinion,
I see no issues either way just a few differences.

If you use dry rock (dry mined like marco rock) you could "bring it up to temp" as you put it. Then connect within a few days. There would be nothing that would effect your first tank. It might take weeks to have the new rock establish a good population of bacteria so you could add more live stock.

If you use live rock then I would cycle it on its own. Just incase there was any die off (ammonia spike) or unwanted critters that might contaminate your older tank. Once this is done you could add more livestock since the rock prob has a good population of bacteria.

 

[Dragonreef202]

when I started my tank I bought dry rock and a few live rocks pieces to seed it . I didn't have the money to buy all live rock at the time. So I didn't have a problem waiting. Saltwater is something you can't rush. I enjoy the time it takes to change. Plus live rock is going about $10 a pound you still have to cure it to be safe

 

[PicassoDan]

Thanks for the advice, that makes a lot of sense. I'll aquascape with dry rock, fill with new water and bring it up to temp. I may adjust Alk/Ca/Mg to match the old tank before throwing the switch.

 

[X-37B]

I did 50/50 live from my 2 year old nano and caribsea. TBS if I was to buy live through the mail.
Tanks 5 months old 40+ corals and all growing.

 

[Combs1ng]

This is a great topic since I have recently bought 300# of dry Fiji rock from a guy exiting the hobby. I am starting a brand new tank and wanted to place a few pieces (30-50#) of live rock when I initiate the tank. Since this tank will be starting all brand new what would you all recommend for the steps taken? I'm thinking once the tank is up I will cycle my dry rock in the tank itself, and then once parameters are in place, add the live rock (after curing in a smaller separate tank and watching for unwanted hitchhikers). Does this seem appropriate?

 

[lapin]

Sounds good. Check for phosphates while cycling the dry fiji just in case. Then before live rock, change out a lot of water to bring down nitrates to around 5 to 10ppm

 

[Combs1ng]

Great, thanks. I will do some large water changes before adding the live rock. It seems the most preferred live rock I have been seeing often is the TBS liverock. Are there other suppliers anyone would recommend? Any pros and cons comparing TBS or any other liverock suppliers would be helpful

 

[alton]

TBS and KP are both great liverock suppliers