Dead rock to live at local ocean?
- Thread starter nashorn
- Start date
reef-freaky
Premium Member
Here is me thinking outloud as well since I am no expert in the matter.
The organisms that live in the tide pools in this area are not the same which would live in a reef for the most part. You would probably succeed in making your dead rock live once more by placing it into the local ocean however you would experience significant die-off once placed into your tropical reef.
I would say some might transfer over but the majority wouldn't. The biggest deterrent to doing this would be the difference in temp of the ocean. Other factors like salinty and local pollution might also play an effect.
just my .02 cents.
Steve
The organisms that live in the tide pools in this area are not the same which would live in a reef for the most part. You would probably succeed in making your dead rock live once more by placing it into the local ocean however you would experience significant die-off once placed into your tropical reef.
I would say some might transfer over but the majority wouldn't. The biggest deterrent to doing this would be the difference in temp of the ocean. Other factors like salinty and local pollution might also play an effect.
just my .02 cents.
Steve
sfsuphysics
Active member
^^ ditto 
You'll get organisms jumping in sure.. in addition to local pollution seeping into every nook and cranny, then when you put it back in your tank all that life will die off, you'll get a massive ammonia spike, and probably pollute your tank.
Just put baserock in the sump it'll become "live" rock, sure it won't be coralline covered, it will only have the life of whatever pods and stuff you currently have, but it'll provide the bacterial surface area that you need. Want coralline algae? Stick it in your refugium with a light on it or in your tank and wait.
You'll get organisms jumping in sure.. in addition to local pollution seeping into every nook and cranny, then when you put it back in your tank all that life will die off, you'll get a massive ammonia spike, and probably pollute your tank.
Just put baserock in the sump it'll become "live" rock, sure it won't be coralline covered, it will only have the life of whatever pods and stuff you currently have, but it'll provide the bacterial surface area that you need. Want coralline algae? Stick it in your refugium with a light on it or in your tank and wait.
Here the part that I don't get when you buy live rock most of the organism are dead or dying. Will the main biological nitrification bacteria or biological organism of the live rock survive the change in temp? I think the numerous algae; small invertebrates will not make the change in temp. Clams and other items like sponges will not have time to attach. Not sure of the salinity and local pollution. Is the pollution that bad in our areas? Anyone know of any studies?
Lordhelmet
Active member
FYI. i pulled 10 gals from monterey last winter. it had little pods swimming in it and when i heater it up to 78 deg the pods were still swimming. i don't think there would be much problem. there would be things that couldn't take it and die but there bacteria will be the same and not a problem.
sfsuphysics
Active member
If you're worried about bacteria don't, stick it anywhere in your tank and bacteria will cover every square inch of surface and become "live" in that regards.
Micro-organisms are a much different matter, now while it is true some can survive extremes in temperature due to their location, I'm really unsure what their long term survival would be in at a constant warmer temperature. For instance, you can run around outside with minimal clothes in the snow for a good number of hours, maybe get cold/frostbite/etc but still be alive, but if you stay in that climate you will die.
You want bacteria, that forms whether you want it or not. You want pods buy any number of pod products out there, have a refugium etc and they'll keep going strong. You'll save time, money and heartache.. I mean geeze you just threw down some serious cash for some corals recently and you're trying to get cheap by trying to "recharge" rock... almost sounds like something I would do
Micro-organisms are a much different matter, now while it is true some can survive extremes in temperature due to their location, I'm really unsure what their long term survival would be in at a constant warmer temperature. For instance, you can run around outside with minimal clothes in the snow for a good number of hours, maybe get cold/frostbite/etc but still be alive, but if you stay in that climate you will die.
You want bacteria, that forms whether you want it or not. You want pods buy any number of pod products out there, have a refugium etc and they'll keep going strong. You'll save time, money and heartache.. I mean geeze you just threw down some serious cash for some corals recently and you're trying to get cheap by trying to "recharge" rock... almost sounds like something I would do
The water here in HMB is pretty much garbage, at Venice beach we have the second worst water quality in nor cal. Not to mention old batteries, shopping carts, zincs, the sewage problem on Barb's beach, constant fuel spills (a little simple green sprayed on the water takes care of the slick so know one knows), tourist trash. I could go on and on.
It seems to me though if you're looking to make live rock "live", aren't you going to have another mini cycle followed by a short curing period after adding it to your tank anyway? I think it would be more work than necessary, if it wasn't I'd be putting my aquaculture permit to work hooking all you guys up with rock.
It seems to me though if you're looking to make live rock "live", aren't you going to have another mini cycle followed by a short curing period after adding it to your tank anyway? I think it would be more work than necessary, if it wasn't I'd be putting my aquaculture permit to work hooking all you guys up with rock.
Thales
Active member
Live rock is a weird term. What it really refers to is the bacteria involved in nitrification and denitrification, not the hitchhiker organisms that are often also on the rock. Most of the larger organisms simply don't survive the collection and shipping process - hence the need to cure or 'cook' the rock.
Prolly, but why bother? You will get the same bacteria growing if you drop the rock in your sump, or in a trash can full of salt water with a power head (and a heater to make things easier).
Some of the local algae inverts will make the transition, but not enough IMO to make it worth the effort. The clams and sponges prolly won't make the transition even if the attach (remember, most of the tropical clams and sponges don't make it either).
Its hard to tell about pollution.
Again, I would drop the dead rock in the sump.
