Adding TBS LR to existing tank?

[Paliya]

Hi,

I have a 50 gallon sumpless reef tank going right now. It's very new, but water is stable, corals are growing, etc. I used about 50lbs of liverock from the LFS (half cured, half uncured). In the tank i have 5 turbo snails, 4 blue leg hermits, 3 scarlet hermits, and 10 Nassarius Snails. As for corals, I have mostly zoanthids and 1 branching hammer coral. There are no fish at this time (mostly due to a bad crab that i think killed my watchman goby... and I'm having a hard time trapping the stupid crab).

Anyway, I want about 20 more lbs of liverock and TBS Coral Rock is beautiful. I want some, but I'm worried that if significant die off occurs, my current inverts might die. I'm also a little bit afraid of having to try to capture even more stuff if 'bad' hitchhikers come along with the rock.

Would it be wise to add some of this rock to my tank? Would the cons outweigh the pros of having some of this awesome rock?

Thoughts and opinions are appreciated.

Thanks!
-P

 

[HowardW]

Since the rock is shipped in water and express airport to airport delivery, you should experience very little if any die off with the exception of perhaps a small sponge or two sometimes.

If you are concerned about getting any bad hitchhikers I would recommend carefully inspecting each piece and removing them before you put the new rock into your tank. A large syringe and cold soda water works very well for most people.

 

[650-IS350]

Just make sure you don't take TOO long inspecting the rock for badhitchikers prior to putting them into the tank.. which would kill a lot of your sponges.

Remember to smell each rock for rotting / Egg smell ( means dead sponges etc. ) scrape them off and what ever dead stuff will be eaten by your scavengers.. but be prepared for a little spike from your parameters (ie' pH, Nitrites/Nitrates ) due to the die off.

ps.

Watch out for thos DAMM gorrilla / rock crabs.

 

[Jocko]

I agree with the above. You should have very little die off. You would probably barely see your levels go up at all let alone to a level that would be toxic.

The reality of the situation is that you will end up with hitchikers like gorilla crabs even if you inspect your rocks. They don't usually cause trouble and you can catch them using various techniques. I personally think its worth it given the biodiversity you get from all of the other hitchiking organisms on TBS rocks.

 

[Paliya]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll be ordering soon. I'll post my experiences.

Regards,
-P