Is Rock Still Alive?

[Lacy]

I have a nano that has been set up for years. I took out the coral, zoos and cuc awhile back and transferred to another tank. I never took this tank down, but left it running. I did turn the lights off. I also haven't fed the tank in a long time either, but have done top offs as needed. I am guessing the rock isn't alive anymore, but I am not sure. Would the rock still be alive?
TIA

 

[karimwassef]

depends on what you mean by "alive"

bacteria can survive.. as organic material starves and dies, bacteria would eat it

If it was getting sunlight or other light, that could keep a cycle of life going too.

 

[Lacy]

It does get some light from a window. I am wanting to know if it will go thru a cycle if corals or fish are put in it.

 

[karimwassef]

depends on what was in it when you stopped feeding it.. amount of waste that's been cycling, etc...

was the water moving? circulation?

 

[Lacy]

Yes the pump has always been going. I quit feeding it when I took the corals out. Is there anyway to test it?

 

[Hudzon]

take a look at night with a small flashlight and see if you see any life such as pods, starfish and such.

 

[karimwassef]

Start feeding. See what crawls out to eat

 

[Reef Ruler]

Get some bottled ammonia and raise the ammonia 1-2ppm...if in 24 hours it tests 0ppm you shouldn't have a cycle if you add any fish or cuc

 

[solidcore]

the rock still contains the beneficial bacteria that helps maintain a tank

 

[Lacy]

take a look at night with a small flashlight and see if you see any life such as pods, starfish and such.

Start feeding. See what crawls out to eat

I will try these two things. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[Lacy]

I didn't see any pods, but I did see a chiton that was alive. I saw it move.