Seeded Dry Rock V Live Rock

jake296 · May 30, 2024

Hi all,

Recently set up a new tank and I have sand and dry rock from a 18 month old nano setup which can go in the sump. Main display is marco dry rock.

I’ve smashed up the rock to throw in the sump as the whole rocks were too big for the chamber. Question is, do you think this will have enough biodiversity to get the tank up and running fairly quickly or would adding some genuine live rock be a big benefit or just a waste of money? I’m a bit worried about adding random critters with live rock, hence why I’m a bit sceptical and hoping it will be enough without. On the other hand, I aren’t the most patient guy and want to get basic SPS in the tank as soon as possible (6 months I’m thinking). What do people think?

Tia

Dan_P · May 30, 2024

jake296 said:
Hi all,

Recently set up a new tank and I have sand and dry rock from a 18 month old nano setup which can go in the sump. Main display is marco dry rock.

I’ve smashed up the rock to throw in the sump as the whole rocks were too big for the chamber. Question is, do you think this will have enough biodiversity to get the tank up and running fairly quickly or would adding some genuine live rock be a big benefit or just a waste of money? I’m a bit worried about adding random critters with live rock, hence why I’m a bit sceptical and hoping it will be enough without. On the other hand, I aren’t the most patient guy and want to get basic SPS in the tank as soon as possible (6 months I’m thinking). What do people think?

Tia

If you are asking whether the old smashed up rock can get rid of ammonia, the answer is “yes”, but I would go ahead and confirm how well it does by dosing a few tenths ppm ammonium chloride and observing how long it takes to disappear. Simple right?

As for “is there enough biodiversity”, there is no correlation available between success growing SPS and a list of organisms. Biodiversity is a badly abused term in this hobby

Good luck with the new aquarium.

Uncle99 · May 30, 2024

That’s fine,

Maintain stable chemistry to speed development and reduce pest type algae’s and bacteria.

Outlaw Corals · May 30, 2024

Live rock is king !!! that macro rock is , you will run into nitrate and phosphate issues down the line, everyone i know that put that stuff in their tank’s all tell me the same thing, “ i should have went with live rock”, don’t rush for anything it takes time so be patient and you will have better success

Oldreefer44 · May 30, 2024

Suggest watching this weeks Reef Bum. Tells you all you need to know about dry rock.

jake296 · May 30, 2024

Thanks all for the replies. Appreciate it.

I guess what I really was asking was whether the transfer of the rock and sand would be adequate from the nano (which had SPS) will be enough to seed this one for success. But time will tell, I’m expecting many humps along the road like the rest of you. Just nice to try and get things going and help the tank along the best I can.

I’ll watch that reefbum episode, thanks for the heads up.

Jake

William Chiavetta · May 30, 2024

Outlaw Corals said:
Live rock is king !!! that macro rock is , you will run into nitrate and phosphate issues down the line, everyone i know that put that stuff in their tank’s all tell me the same thing, “ i should have went with live rock”, don’t rush for anything it takes time so be patient and you will have better success

+1 to this

twentyleagues · May 30, 2024

Plenty of successful tanks started with marco dry rock.
Plenty of successful tanks started with live rock from the ocean or from the lfs.
Is it different yes is one better than the other its debatable.

@jake296 What size is the new tank and how many pounds of cycled rock do you have? Either way it will probably be fine and insta cycle your new tank. Good luck on the new tank!