Live rock for the sps tank?

M

Mark75

New member
I am in the beginning stages of hopefully an awesome sps tank with a few choice lps/zoas.

My tank is a 50g. cube(24x24) and I plan on a very minimal live rock,..single island or maybe two.

I have had the tank setup for about 4 weeks. I really want to take my time and do it right. The only thing in the tank has been a shallow sand bed and salt water. I have spent the last few weeks getting familiar with my equipment. I am comfortable with my equipment so why not add some life?

I came across some live rock at my local lfs, Fiji real live rock that had came out of a leaky tank and the price was right,..$5.00 per pound so I purchased 10lbs. to help my tank cycle with the plan adding what ever rock I decided to do my aquascape.

Here is where I am questioning my purchase! I have found a tiny aiptasia and a Kenya tree on this new rock. I want full control of what goes in my tank, one reason I would not order live rock from TBS, although it sounds like he has very nice rock. I plan on ordering some dry rock from BRS or Marco rocks but I have to have something to seed it with.

Okay guys,..don't let me make a mistake this soon in, what should I do about the live rock I have now and where should I get the rest of my rock?

Thanks guys!
 
I recently rebooted my tank due to a need for a re-aquascape to make more room for my fish and only keep my favorite sps. In the back of my mind I wanted to finally end the battle (war? 5+ years) with aiptasia. They were not really noticeable in my tank, but I knew they were there. Tried everything including nudibranches, peppermint shrimp, copperbands, and chemicals. All worked to a certain extent, till they died or disappeared, and soon enough aiptasia came back.
Dont let this be a problem from the onset. Kill those rocks now! Fresh water soak for a couple days should work.
My reboot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9I_wVbqW7E
Before...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aQq4II0Ruo
 
At least you learned this lesson now and not a year down the road. If you want complete control you must assume everything you buy is contaminated, and not just put stuff in your tank. Take that rock out and cure it. Quarantine all future inhabitants. And remember that success in this hobby is determined by how patient one can be.
 
Skip the freshwater dip for the rocks. Run out and grab a couple of the largest jugs of white vinegar you can find. Dump the rocks and the vinegar into a bucket for four or five days for a nice acid bath. It's not as fast as using muratic acid, but it's a bit easier to do (especially if you have little kids that are curious about things). It'll peel a few layers off the rocks and you'll start off with nice clean rocks.
 
I prefer dry rock. I find whatever pieces I like, soak them in vinegar for a day, then power wash them GOOD and let's them air dry in the garage for a few days. Just my method, I don't like the gamble of hitch hikers with an SPS tank.
 
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