Live Rock Situation

[Kdocimo90]

Okay, so here's the deal... I just started a tank a few months ago, and as of now I have about 140 lbs of cured live rock in my 210 gallon aquarium. I also have only 3 fish that I put in from the old tank. I have decided to put more rock in the tank... probably 100-150 lbs more... I have the option of buying "fully cured live rock" (which would probably need a cycle) or buying "dead/dry rock". My question is, what would you prefer, and how long would each type of rock take to cycle when added to my tank that already has fully cured rock in it?

 

[Poorcollegereef]

I went with using "dead" rock when adding rock to my tank to avoid any unwanted 'critters' (yes, that is a technical term ). The rock came from another reefer who tore down his tank. I got the dry dead rock, boiled it and then left it to cure. It took about two weeks and despite it being 'dead', it created an insane amount of organic goo in my "cheap" curing skimmer.

Now, I think you are looking for a fast solution, but I have never trusted cured live rock unless I saw where it was established beforehand. I suggest dead rock to avoid unwanted hitchhikers but I think you should have to do a cycle/quarantine in any scenario.

I guess is that the cycle/quaratine is dependent of the quality of rock yo get.

 

[Kdocimo90]

well for dead rock i would imagine the quality would pretty much always be the same... how long do you think the cycle would be. Oh and by the way i have a Euro-Reef RS-180 skimmer if that helps.

 

[Poorcollegereef]

Ahhh, yes ER180... I ran a remora pro on the rock, I have the ER on my display. In any case, dead rock could have alot of organics still on it or little organics, it can depend. I think the dead rock could take a week to maybe a month depending on how much dead stuff was on it. The skimmer would really help to remove alot of the organics. If you seed the curing/quaratine tank, it will further speed the process. I guess there could a NH3 or N02 spike and it will take some time to cycle but if you find some good rock, it wouldnt take long (or as long as uncured live rock.

 

[Kdocimo90]

well, rather then seeding the dead rock, couldnt i just take the fish out of the tank and put all the rock in?

 

[Kdocimo90]

and... how long would it take it if purchased "fully cured live rock" instead?

 

[Poorcollegereef]

taking the fish out might be a good option, you could test the water parameters and when the NH3 and N02 become undetectable, then add the fish.

As far as the "fully cured live rock", I would still quarantine it to make sure it was really cured and had no pest anemones and the like. Even then, the experience that I had with 'cured' live rock resulted in a nitrite spike. (Thats the reason I am distrustful of "cured" rock) Unless I know and have seen the source I never trust the fully "cured claim.

 

[Kdocimo90]

good news poorcollegereef.... I found a seller locally in Connecticut that is willing to sell his 70-80 lbs of live rock (in his tank (cured)) for 250 bucks..all i need now is 70-80 lbs more