Live Rock Question?

[Mike 1911A1]

My tank is about 1 1/2 months old. I cured my lr in the display aquarium with live sand. The tank has cycled and ive added fish. Everything is going well. I have recently purchased some more lr and plan on curing it in a rubbermaid tub with heater and powerhead before adding to tank.

Before I add my new lr to the display (after it's cured), I would like to take the original rock out of the display and spray it off to get all the detritus and gunk out. Is this good practice? Will I hurt the cured rock or start a cycle again if I pull it out and clean it? Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[bheron]

NO, that isnt a bad idea. Some people do something called "cooking" on here, but thats a whole other story. Just be sure not to kill anything on the rock, which would cause an ammonia spike. Dont keep it out of water too long, and clean it in saltwater, etc.

Go for it.

 

[Craig Lambert]

You could just blast it with a turkey baster while it's in the tank. Lot's of peope do that daily, or a couple of times a week once the tank is up and running.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

or a powerhead.......I wouldnt take it out....just IMO....

 

[Mike 1911A1]

I have done the powerhead and turkey baster thing in the tank. The problem is, it blows stuff all over the tank and my skimmer goes into over time. Just thinking it would be better to remove all the crud out of the tank.

 

[Craig Lambert]

That is what you want to have happen. You will find that as the tank ages and you have corals that they will all open up when you do this. You will also see filter feeders pop out of the rocks that you never knew you had. It is a good practice to blow the rocks off regularly. Don't worry about the skimmer.

 

[Mike 1911A1]

Oh, I didn't know that. Curently I have no corals but will probably ease into them down the road. That's good info, thanks.

 

[gibbswagon]

happy reefing

 

[fishaholic911]

I also use a powerhead and baster. if you where going to pull the rock out most of the detritus will still end up in the tank just form moving it

 

[fishaholic911]

from

 

[mg426]

I have done it every way described above as i am sure most have.One thing to consider is when you do a water change shake a few peices ( or as many as you can without ripping apart the tank)off real good in the bucket of old water you are throwing out. I have done this a couple of times and it works well.

 

[Mike 1911A1]

All good suggestions, thanks for the input.