Rock - From Sump To Display

pelphrey · Dec 6, 2018

I recently decided I've had enough with my aquascape, I bought 2 marco pedestal rocks to replace some existing rock with. I put the first pedestal in my sump for 3 weeks, I then pulled the biggest structure out. Using a 3lb hammer I broke the structure up into manageable pieces (I used e-marco to bond all of the rock work together). The pedestal was put into the display and some of the bigger pieces I broke up were put into the display as well to not disrupt the system.

Fast forward I added my second pedestal rock to the sump over a week ago, when can I move that to the display and pull 2 more pieces of rock out? I do run a fair share of pond matrix and even added some more in preparation for the moves.

I'll admit, I haven't tested the water at all. I've also not noticed any side effects to what I've done so far.

The rocks on the left will be replaced with the new pedestal.

CC13 · Dec 6, 2018

pelphrey said:
I recently decided I've had enough with my aquascape, I bought 2 marco pedestal rocks to replace some existing rock with. I put the first pedestal in my sump for 3 weeks, I then pulled the biggest structure out. Using a 3lb hammer I broke the structure up into manageable pieces (I used e-marco to bond all of the rock work together). The pedestal was put into the display and some of the bigger pieces I broke up were put into the display as well to not disrupt the system.

Fast forward I added my second pedestal rock to the sump over a week ago, when can I move that to the display and pull 2 more pieces of rock out? I do run a fair share of pond matrix and even added some more in preparation for the moves.

I'll admit, I haven't tested the water at all. I've also not noticed any side effects to what I've done so far.

The rocks on the left will be replaced with the new pedestal.

Macro rock is essentially dead rock and there are no dead organics on it. There is no cycle time. You could have placed it in the display tank immediately.

pelphrey · Dec 6, 2018

CC13 said:
Macro rock is essentially dead rock and there are no dead organics on it. There is no cycle time. You could have placed it in the display tank immediately.

Even though I am replacing rock in the display? The rock removed from the display won't be utilized in the new scape.

CC13 · Dec 6, 2018

pelphrey said:
Even though I am replacing rock in the display? The rock removed from the display won't be utilized in the new scape.

Oh I thought you were simply adding more rock and were going to swap. To be safe I would leave it in your sump for 3-4 weeks to seed in this case.

You could also swap and place the display tank piece in the sump. It would help get the new rock in the display seeded with coraline and critters.

pelphrey · Dec 6, 2018

CC13 said:
Oh I thought you were simply adding more rock and were going to swap. To be safe I would leave it in your sump for 3-4 weeks to seed in this case.

You could also swap and place the display tank piece in the sump. It would help get the new rock in the display seeded with coraline and critters.

Thanks for the input! Makes total sense to go ahead and add it to the display and put the rest of the rock in my sump.

CC13 · Dec 6, 2018

pelphrey said:
Thanks for the input! Makes total sense to go ahead and add it to the display and put the rest of the rock in my sump.

Ya that's what I would do. This way your only adding rock to the system (on a total lbs. measurement), and it allows for the rock to seed a little quicker in the display.

Try to leave a small piece of current display rock with coraline in the display for 1-2 weeks. It will seed the new rock quicker with coraline and get that nice purple quicker.