All Dead Rock
- Thread starter Gondore
- Start date
glaukos
New member
I've started 3 tanks with 100% dead rock.
For sure it will taκe longer for the tank to mature-everything that term icludes-,stabilise etc but not a recipe for quaranted disaster or problems.
It has some advantages but some disadvantages too.
If you use a good/trustworthy bacterial brand,try and clean/baste the rock before placing it in the tank and some rock(pest free and filled with coraline) to seed the dead,everything will be ok.
At least according to what i have experienced my friend.Every tank and hobbyist is different.Fwiw i'm not a guru nor a totm owner
What issues have you dealt with during this time?
For sure it will taκe longer for the tank to mature-everything that term icludes-,stabilise etc but not a recipe for quaranted disaster or problems.
It has some advantages but some disadvantages too.
If you use a good/trustworthy bacterial brand,try and clean/baste the rock before placing it in the tank and some rock(pest free and filled with coraline) to seed the dead,everything will be ok.
At least according to what i have experienced my friend.Every tank and hobbyist is different.Fwiw i'm not a guru nor a totm owner
What issues have you dealt with during this time?
MichaelW
New member
I started with all dead rock so I didn't introduce pests. No problems. Ran it in a tub in the garage with water heater and power head for couple months before hand changing 100% water every couple weeks.
As Mike mentioned above use a good bacteria source to seed and all is good.
Coraline I wouldn't worry about, that stuff is going to find its way in on something....then you will be wishing it never did. (just my opinion)
As Mike mentioned above use a good bacteria source to seed and all is good.
Coraline I wouldn't worry about, that stuff is going to find its way in on something....then you will be wishing it never did. (just my opinion)
dadummy
Active member
All dead rock here, removed the rock from existing tank, gave it a bleach and acid bathe. Took a few months after cycle (frozen shrimp) until tank was stable enough to support SPS. Thank God I have another system with plenty of coral to use as tester frags. I would have broke the bank buying and killing frags. So, I would suggest buying cheap frags or finding people to donate some. I see how people set up a tank, kill a bunch of stuff, unplug the tank and leave the hobby, saying it's too hard!!
Once frags stopped STN, and began to have polyp extension and grow, I slowly stocked the tank. Scraped some coralline off the glass of another tank to seed the rock. Go slow and be patient
6-10-15
FullSizeRender by daddeee, on Flickr
01-03-16
b by daddeee, on Flickr
Once frags stopped STN, and began to have polyp extension and grow, I slowly stocked the tank. Scraped some coralline off the glass of another tank to seed the rock. Go slow and be patient
6-10-15
FullSizeRender by daddeee, on Flickr01-03-16
b by daddeee, on FlickrI started with dead rock as well, just did not want all the possible critters that comes with live rock. The tank took 6 months to really stabilize for me. If I did it again, I would add fish to the first 3-4 months and some easy LPS/zoas until parameters stabilize, and then slowly add sps around 6 months... Patience is critical in my experience for long term success with SPS, and stability of a tank not only requires diligent husbandry but for most of us 'tincture of time"
Mark
Mark
