Live Rock

[Buckster]

I've had my (used) 180 tank running for over 3 months. I purchased 150 pounds of rock from addictive reef keeping which was used up between the 32 bio cube QT tank and the DT. I added additional live rock last weekend from a 30 which was holding the rock, crabs, fish, coral and inverts originally from the 180 while it was cycling. It took me 2 months to reconstruct the cabinet, plumbing and additional lighting. I believe I need additional rock as I feel the fish don't have enough caves for hiding. I'm looking for suggestions regarding live rock. I still confused about curing rock as I've heard reefers state that you should cure it before putting in your tank even if it's live rock. Suggestions are welcomed!

 

[brandon429]

true live rock that has been weeks/mos in another reef tank needs no curing it just transfers over instantly, this is how marine aquarium conventions all start on the same date with 500 reefs, no losses no stalls.


live rock that is mailed to you needs curing time


live rock painted with fake coralline marked live rock, but sold dry to you, needs curing time


dry marco rocks need curing time for leaching phosphate per popular opinion and certainly for bacteria to grow


but not common everyday live rock from a pet store tank with coralline on it.


that stuff skips the cycle, always, we just port it home and add to the tank. you might get any number of hitchhikers, but it doesnt have dieoff. its tough.

 

[KyleJ42]

Also, live rock like TBS that is air freighted usually has little to no die off, because its shipped in water, and thats why you pay the extra for air freight.

 

[Buckster]

Sounds like my best bet would be to add live rock and research suppliers.

 

[dadnjesse]

Your tank looks like it has plenty of rock, unless you don't like how it looks. You could add more to your sump.

 

[Buckster]

The left end (last quarter) has hiding places for the fish. From the right (first 3/4) is what I had which was painted and dry when shipped. I placed those pieces in the tank and glued them before adding sand and water. I had nothing in the tank for 6 weeks. The algae is growing. The right section doesn't have many hiding places for the fish and I was thinking of building in front of the structure and stepping the rock. Thought this would make hiding places for the fish and would present coral better. I do have live rock in the sump that came with beneficial bacteria.

 

[Liljune40]

I've had my (used) 180 tank running for over 3 months. I purchased 150 pounds of rock from addictive reef keeping which was used up between the 32 bio cube QT tank and the DT. I added additional live rock last weekend from a 30 which was holding the rock, crabs, fish, coral and inverts originally from the 180 while it was cycling. It took me 2 months to reconstruct the cabinet, plumbing and additional lighting. I believe I need additional rock as I feel the fish don't have enough caves for hiding. I'm looking for suggestions regarding live rock. I still confused about curing rock as I've heard reefers state that you should cure it before putting in your tank even if it's live rock. Suggestions are welcomed!

Nice