dry dead rock in a established reef?

[tamortman]

I just bought some great dry rock my questions is will it mess up my tank if i add some to it. i have a 210 with 200-250 lbs live rock been there for 2 1/2 years i want to add 50lbs of this dry rock to the tank the rock was in a reef tank two years ago hasn't seen water since then any info will help has anyone done this and had no issues thanks tyler

 

[ctrl+f]

Why wouldn't you cure it in a rubbermaid bin first? Better safe than sorry.

 

[mfinn]

Why wouldn't you cure it in a rubbermaid bin first? Better safe than sorry.

What's to cure? It's dry rock.


You already have 200 to 250lbs in a 210 and your adding more? Sounds like alot.
I've added dry rock in the sump of my 240 a couple times to colonize it with bacteria, I see no difference adding it to a tank.

 

[The Velvet Sea]

Depending on the source of the rock, it can be dry and still have decay when the rock rehydrates. I just got some dry rock from BRS and found dead and dry critters that will definitely decay when put into a tank. I wouldn't put this rock straight into an established reef. Other rock maybe; like I said, depends on the source.

Edit: More closely resembling the original poster's situation. I had tank crash after a hurricane power outage. I tore the tank down and kept the rock dry for a year. Even though the rock dried, it was still kinda nasty when I set the tank back up with it.

 

[tamortman]

It really isn't to much plus i want to put a bunch in the sump sounds like i better cure it in a rubbermaid. is it ok that i don't have another skimmer to run in with just the rock as long as i have a powerhead?

 

[Pallobi]

cure it if you feel the need... but it is jus dry rock... but ifyou do cure it, imo you dont need the skimmer for it, jus let it run a while, and change the water a couple times and your good to go imo... but again, its jus dry rock, i feel you can jus add it whenever you want... GL with whatever you choose

 

[Bretts05jeep]

I added dry rock a few times, without any problems. If your worred about it only add a little at a time. I wouldnt waste the time cureing it. It will establish bacteria much faster IMO.

 

[Pallobi]

agreed

 

[badwrasse]

you have way more than enough rock in your tank already to handle any decay, but i would soak it in a rubbermaid for a week or two to test for any PO4 leaching. other than that drop it in.

 

[tamortman]

thanks for all the info