More Rock?

hopdevil1 · Apr 10, 2023

Greetings,
I have a 100 gallon IM tank that I have been operating since August. It is doing great. Haven't lost any fish except for a jumper and one that got lodged in a crevasse in the rock.
The tank has LifeRock Dry Rock by Caribsea.
My question is can I add another piece of LifeRock or two since it is already cycled and happy?
If ok, what do I need to do to prepare the pieces?
Thanks!
Buzz

HankstankXXL750 · Apr 10, 2023

In my opinion you must at least rinse well in tank or fresh salt water.

If your not in a terrible hurry I would probably put it in a barrel or bucket depending on size with a pump and some ammonia and cycle it. I switched out some live rock in a reef with Liferock, and only rinsed. Thought I would be fine as I left over 1/2 of the existing rock (I was moving out aggressive corals as I wanted to move in a new direction) I have experienced an algae bloom of some kind and lost several corals. Not sure if they are related or just circumstantial (I also tanked phosphates and had a Alk swing, took my eye off the ball as I set up another system). Have a new microscope coming as I tried one that attaches to my phone, but think there is either scratches on the phone or the attachment I bought as it isn’t clear.
So for my 2 cents worth I would try to cycle it a little to avoid problems.

Mr. Mojo Rising · Apr 10, 2023

If you just want to add another piece or two of dry rock, its fine, just be aware the new rocks will be super algae magnets until they get established.

bushdoc · Apr 10, 2023

Exactly as above, any new item in a tank is colonized by algae in a sequence. You do not need to cycle new rock though.

HB AL · Apr 10, 2023

You'll be fine, I've added 50+#s of dead rock at once too well established tanks and the only thing I've noticed is the new rock will go through its own minor ugly phase. Also my #1 key to keeping a healthy aquarium is alot of rock, the more the merrier.