dead live rock seeding?

[mfinn]

I bought some BRS Reef Saver Eco rock and placed it in the sump of another tank that has been setup for several years.
How long will it take to turn this into live rock?
I plan on using this rock, with no other live rock, in a tank I'm setting up for zoanthids, with maybe a single small wrasse.
It would be no problem if I was using store bought live rock, but this is something new for me.

 

[cdbias2]

I'd give it 2 or 3 weeks before I'd consider it safe.
"Live" is a matter of opinion around here.

 

[mfinn]

I've been told it may take up to 6 months.


Any opinions?

 

[silentscream]

wouldn't it be similar to a sponge filter for use in a QT tank? I've read to keep the sponge in the sump for 4-6 weeks to consider it live.

 

[hhaase]

Re: dead live rock seeding?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15228942#post15228942 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mfinn
I bought some BRS Reef Saver Eco rock and placed it in the sump of another tank that has been setup for several years.
How long will it take to turn this into live rock?
I plan on using this rock, with no other live rock, in a tank I'm setting up for zoanthids, with maybe a single small wrasse.
It would be no problem if I was using store bought live rock, but this is something new for me.

The main factor, filtrationwise, is the bacterial population. In a pre-existing tank, the rocks should be sufficiently seeded within a couple of weeks if the existing tank is heavily stocked and fully cycled. Particularly in a sump where the rocks will be exposed to a constant water flow.

It's the "everything else" that is much more subjective. Sponges, coraline algae, micro-starfish, pods and the like will all take longer. Though most of this stuff you could seed into the tank separately as well if desired.

You could also move a couple smaller established rocks into the new tank, as well as a cup or so of sand, which will act as starter populations of the various critters in there.

Either way, you will still want to monitor the ammonia cycle to make sure it's stabilized before adding livestock.

-Hans

 

[mfinn]

Re: Re: dead live rock seeding?

Re: Re: dead live rock seeding?

You could also move a couple smaller established rocks into the new tank, as well as a cup or so of sand,

-Hans [/B]

The main reason I'm using the dry eco rock is I want to eliminate the possibllity of bringing in aptasia, bryopsis, bubble algae, majanos which I've had to deal with using store bought live rock before.
My zoanthid collection is in my 240 now on frag racks, consists of alot of pretty high end zoanthids.

I was under the impression that the denitrifying bacteria lived deeper in the live rock itself.