Should I transfer rock from old system or not?

[rja]

Hey all,
I am planning to upgrade tanks soon (29->75) and I plan to not keep my rock.

Reason being is that almost none of my coral is encrusted to the rock besides my RFAs and some Zoanthids. Also, my tank had some extremely robust populations of flatworms and bubble algae that I fear introducing into the new system. Although it is likely inevitable, my plan is to keep a one spot foxface and melanarus wrasse to try and eat away whatever transfers over.

The rest of my rock, I would like to get from coral vats from my LFS. These rocks have been curing for decades and are from the ocean. They are purple with coralline. I am worried there may be pests but there should also be some very diverse cultures of bacteria on these rocks.

What are your guy’s thoughts?

 

[glb]

Hey all,
I am planning to upgrade tanks soon (29->75) and I plan to not keep my rock.

Reason being is that almost none of my coral is encrusted to the rock besides my RFAs and some Zoanthids. Also, my tank had some extremely robust populations of flatworms and bubble algae that I fear introducing into the new system. Although it is likely inevitable, my plan is to keep a one spot foxface and melanarus wrasse to try and eat away whatever transfers over.

The rest of my rock, I would like to get from coral vats from my LFS. These rocks have been curing for decades and are from the ocean. They are purple with coralline. I am worried there may be pests but there should also be some very diverse cultures of bacteria on these rocks.

What are your guy’s thoughts?

You might have the same critters with the cured rock you buy. I treated bubble algae successfully with emerald crabs. I’ve never had flatworms so maybe someone else can chime in. The only way to completely avoid hitchhikers is with dry rock. I started with dry quarried rock for this reason. It cycles a lot slower and some will leech phosphates. Hope this helps!

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

I like liverock for the diversity of life on them. I have used both dry and liverock without any issues. Life will always find a way into a reef tank eventually, imo.

You can also cure the old liverock and reuse it, but it will take a few weeks.

 

[pgroth1]

Save the money, use your old rock and just inspect it well before the transfer. Remove as many pests as you can.

 

[rja]

Save the money, use your old rock and just inspect it well before the transfer. Remove as many pests as you can.

Honestly this is the way. I have NO PESTS besides the bubble algae and planaria which are EASILY fixed with fish that can fit in a 75 gallon. Also an army of emerald crabs… i only have 2.

I beat dinos, cyano, bryopsis, and other things with this rock.