Beginner's guide to Live Rock

I read the entire thread :eek1:, and the one thing that I do not think I saw was a discussion of methods of placing the live rock on the sand versus some sort of supporting framework. I have read, in various places, that there is some value to putting the live rock on PVC supports so that they do not sink as the critters burrow through the sand and so that detritus is more easily moved out from under the rocks by current or critters.

So the question here is, assuming you're using some sort of sand bed, would you put the live rock directly on the sand, or do you think it's nice to build a support structure under the live rock?

Thank you for all of the info! :D
 
Hi Forbes
[welcome]

I like to use that plastic dowel material as it is solid. I cut 1-1.5" diameter sections so they are just shy of the sand surface and place the LR on them. I like it better than pipe or egg crate as they don't allow sand to be trapped in the plastic structure. It is best not to allow a space between the bed and rock, at least IMO, as critters may hide too easily in the space. You want specimens not fugitives. ;)
 
I read the first few pages of this thread today at work, but didn't get all the way through it. So, I apologize if this question was already answered. But what exactly is "uncured" live rock? Or how does a dealer keep it uncured? I read that dealers cure rocks by putting them in huge tubs, but what do they do with uncured rock? If they left them out of the water, everything would die, right? If they put them in the tubs too, they would eventually cure. So is uncured rock just "newer" rock that hasn't sat in the tubs long enough to cure?
Maybe this is a silly question, but I'm a newbie. I've been reading this forum for several months and I finally have enough of my credit cards paid off so I can start my tank. I'm just trying to figure out if cured rock is really worth the extra dough.
Thanks!
 
you already answed your question:D uncured LR is rock that came from the ocen and shipped to the dealer and the dealer just hasn't put them in there system to cure it which will mean you will have to go through a cycle when you get it. IMO i like to get uncured LR as to cured due to the hitchhickers that you will get on it. some will come with corals, crabs, spounges, ect. but you also get bad hitchickers along with the good. with cured rock you can just add to your tank and not see a cycle but most of the time the cured rock has been picked through and all the hitchikers have been taken off.
 
water changes with lr cycle?

water changes with lr cycle?

Im about to start my 50 G, a couple questions with live rock.
Should i add dead sand before the live rock, and then the rock will seed my sand?
Can i do water changes?
Right now i still have to pick up the powerheads but this is the current plan:
Add rinsed hd sand. Add water(rodi not available, will use chlorine treatment :S)add salt, using powerheads to mix over a day, heaters bringing temp up. When salinity and temp is ok i will get some cured live rock will be able to get it home and in the tank within half an hour. Start protein skimmer. Add some snails and shrimp after a couple days. Im just not sure on water changes, i will be monitoring conditions constantly.
 
:lol:

Things that go bump in the night. :D

Seeding dead sand with LR is somewhat of a problem. You will get the bacteria you need from the rock but the LR lacks many of the critters that stir the bed. It is far better to use at least some true LS to seed the bed. If you give it a little time, as little as a 10% seed can fully populate the dead sand in a month or so. It is best to do this when the tank has only a limited amount of livestock as fish and inverts will chow down on the critters you want in the bed.
 
Hi Digital
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

It is a good thread and Palmetto took a little jump on me as he had this out just before the rock curing section of my New Tank Thread. Beat me to the punch. :D
 
I like the idea of mixing different kinds of rock. I was thinking of 1/2 TBS and the other 1/2 Kaelini, using the TBS as base. Since the Kaelini doesnt seem to have as large of an amount of hitchikers, how long can it take to migrate to the Kaelini?
 
Lost me Gallagher. You mean hitchhikers? Depends on what they are. Fan worms awhile but bristle worms overnight.
 
Im sorry. The TBS appear to have some sponges, different tube worms, etc. The Kaelini appears to be lax of that. Just wondering if these small critters decide to move onto other rock.
 
If they survive the cure they sure will. The encrusting organism are somewhat slow but those with free locomotion will check out the new turf in no time flat.
 
Thanks for the reply. I have read numerous threads of yours and find you to be a very knowlegeable sourse. My 75 is in its infancy, but im becoming more confident with each thread i read and question i ask. Thank you for your time.
 
WK, for support of my Rock, I planned to use 3" dia PVC couplings. They are exactly 3 1/2" long. Which will pace my 4" sand bed just over the top. I have drilled multiple 3/8" holes in each coupling to allow water to flow through. Was planning to distribute them around the area that I plan to cover with the LR. Does this sound ok?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9166324#post9166324 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nyrescue
Quick question.....Will base rock eventually become live rock??
Click to expand...

Yes, but the effectiveness of biofiltration depends on the density of the rock.
 
Completely a n00b without direction

Completely a n00b without direction

I started my salt aquarium about two months ago. I think I am getting a hold of things but I am worried about my rock. I bought 60lbs over the internet one week and three days ago, when I got the box the box it only weighted 12 lbs. It was uncured rock, so i scrubbed it and rinsed it and placed in the tank. Then five days later I went to the local store and bout 7 pounds of cured rock. here are a couple of concerns I have:
-Why is my rock colors looking dull?
-Since I added my rock my filter spits lots of bubbles once in a while, why would that be?
-I also got a protein skimmer about two weeks ago, not sure why but it spits out tons o bubbles, I already tried to reduce the water intake but nothing, what could this be?
Here is a link where you can see pics of the rock, filter and skimmer
http://www.theredblender.com/fish.html

Please help! :(

I apologize for my grammar, English is not my first language
 
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