Live Rock

[ziggy2]

I am going to set up another tank in the near future. So I have been picking up supplies as I can. I have a 55 that is 1/4 full of crushed coral that was in an active system and the other 3/4 is full of live rock. I have circulation and heat in the tank. All this material came from an established system that was taken down due to selling a house. What do I need to do to keep the rock alive and well.

 

[Sk8r]

Keep the circulation and heat going, and maybe drop in a little fishfood for worms and bacteria and such.

 

[MrHyde]

Make sure to keep the salinity within limits as well.

 

[ziggy2]

I've been adding the water I take out of my 29 gallon tank for water changes to keep things topped off. Thanks for the help.

 

[gone fishin]

I've been adding the water I take out of my 29 gallon tank for water changes to keep things topped off. Thanks for the help.

You want to use freshwater for evaporation top off to maintain salinity. Using saltwater for this purpose will raise the salinity.

FWIW If your using the crushed coral for a substrate I would not use it. Crushed coral has a tendency to hold on to detritus causing issues down the road. Good luck just my 2 cents.

 

[Joke]

I would check your salinity levels NOW if you have been toping of with salt water.

 

[SFish]

If it's only 12" wide I would sell the tank and get a 75 or 40 breeder. 12" wide tanks suck for aquascaping.

 

[SFish]

fwiw if your using the crushed coral for a substrate i would not use it. Crushed coral has a tendency to hold on to detritus causing issues down the road. Good luck just my 2 cents.

+1

 

[ziggy2]

I will check the salinity tonight. The 55 is just to hold the rock and hopefully keep it going until I can get my 150 set up. The crushed coral will be used in one of my refugiums when the system is complete. I will have the 150, a 75 sump, with two 40 gallon refugiums.

 

[ziggy2]

I checked the salinity last night. To my dismay, it was far below where it should be. How low can it get before it kills off the rock? I added some salt, but won't be able to check it again until after work.

 

[ziggy2]

Looks like I have it where it needs to be. Hopefully, I didn't kill everything.

 

[ziggy2]

Now the salt level seems to be high. I think I need to invest in a refractor!

 

[SFish]

Do you have an ATO? Maybe you added to much salt and checked it before it got all mixed in.

 

[ziggy2]

I think you are correct. I have it back to normal now. Finally.