Adding LR

[AirForceAquariu]

Hi all,

I am looking to add some LR to my tank as I am currently at about 30lbs in a brand new 65 gallon. It is cycled so I am curious as to the procedures to follow for this. Also suggestions on good places to get LR. I was looking at liveaquaria.com. I bout the first batch from my LFS sicne they are very helpful and I am trying to build a relationship, but that can be a bit pricey. Thanks in advance!

 

[thegrun]

If you add more than 10% of your current tank's cycled live rock at one time I would cycle the rock first in a separate container since the new rock could potentially start a new cycle. Once the new rock has cycled, you can safely add it to your system.

 

[AirForceAquariu]

If I haven't started stocking yet would there be any harm to the LR already in the tank if I planned on about doubling the LR in the tank?

Also what are your opinions on online sources of LR v. LFS. I am in the Boston area if that helps.

 

[whosurcaddie]

It wont hurt anything if you don't have anything in the tank. You will just have to wait for the new rock to cycle. The best online live rock IMO is Aquatitech http://www.aquatictech.com/livestock.html

You can get a 36 pound box of Totoka for 3.60$ a pound. Ive used this rock before its awesome.

Of course you also have the option to use dry rock. It would be cheaper and you wouldn't need to wait for the cycle.

 

[AirForceAquariu]

What would be some pro's / cons with the dry rock? I am assuming that it would have nothing good or bad on it and would take a long time to grow stuff?

 

[Vucious]

I just finished bringing up my 75g tank with 100% dry rock. I don't think the cost of LR is worth it, IMO.

 

[sc50964]

Dry or artificial rocks is the way to go IMO to start a tank bc it for sure doesn't have any hitchhikers and aiptesia. You will need to cure it for about 2 weeks.

 

[AirForceAquariu]

Ok I will definitely keep that in mind! Thanks for the advice!

Since I am new, why would you need to cure dry rock> wouldn't it by definition not have anything on it to die off?

 

[sc50964]

By curing dead/dry or artificial rocks, this process has effectively turned them into live rocks.

 

[whosurcaddie]

What would be some pro's / cons with the dry rock? I am assuming that it would have nothing good or bad on it and would take a long time to grow stuff?

The pros no hitchhikers, cheap and a lot of rock for the price. Its mostly very light and porous.

Cons no hitchhikers there's good stuff that comes with live rock also. Can have a lot phosphate bound up in the rock. Zero coraline.

My current tank was done with 100% dry rock and I love it but Ive also had two previous tanks with live rock. My first tank with live rock I got from my LFS and it was riddled with aptasia. My second tank I used the totoka from aquatitech and not a single pest hitchhiker came in on that rock.

You have to ask yourself what do you want with your rock do you want it to be devoid of life a blank canvas so to speak with no possibility for pests. Or do you want rock that has many types of life and surprises waiting for you. Mostly good some bad but all can be dealt with.

 

[AirForceAquariu]

That's great advice! Thanks! To be honest, I find myself excited to see what will come out of the rock as it progresses! I think I will stick with live so long as my budget permits. Thank you all very much, this is a great introduction to your community and the hobby!

 

[sc50964]

The cost of buying LR that has the nice purple coralline encrusting algae from LFS is probably at least $5 per pound. Marine depo is running a special now for purple artificial rocks that look real and free of hitchhikers and phosphate and it's about $5 per pound as well. Not sure what your budget is but it could be an option.

 

[cchsoracle]

If you go with dry rock, be sure to soak it in RODI for at least a 3 or 4 days and then test the water for phosphates. A good source of low phosphate dry rock that I found was reefcleaners.org

 

[RoDogVillan]

The only thing with adding the new dry base is you can get another diatom bloom if u havent already

 

[wooden_reefer]

Hi all,

I am looking to add some LR to my tank as I am currently at about 30lbs in a brand new 65 gallon. It is cycled so I am curious as to the procedures to follow for this. Also suggestions on good places to get LR. I was looking at liveaquaria.com. I bout the first batch from my LFS sicne they are very helpful and I am trying to build a relationship, but that can be a bit pricey. Thanks in advance!

For the sake of cycling per se, what is your purpose or plan?

Do you think you actually need the new rock to be cycled for the sake of supporting the great bioload that you plan to add soon?

If the answer is yes, then you have to think about it. In a tank where there is half-half new and cycled rock, which is actually processing the ammonia during the cycle? If there is near constant excess ammonia during the cycle, then likely the new rock will be cycled and the old rock will be boosted further still.

If you just put a pulse of amminia, then you cannot tell which type of rock actually processed it.