live rock?

[synyst3rshadows]

can i seed rock for my 55 gallon tank? If so how long will it take or how much live rock or live sand do i need?

 

[Shagsbeard]

If you are looking to culture your own rock, I'd start with 70lbs of base rock, and 10 lbs of really high quality live rock. It will take about 4 months until the base rock is colonized with bacteria and about two years for it to be covered with coraline.

 

[demonsp]

Sounds like a plan. The more LR you start with the faster the result.

 

[I'mRisenAquaRat]

The coraline may come sooner. It depends on your water parameters and lighting. I can put a new dead rock in my tank and its covered with coraline in two months.

 

[synyst3rshadows]

Would this be the better then buying all live?I'm low on money.

 

[I'mRisenAquaRat]

As long as you are patient. All your rock be become "live" in time. And you will save alot of money. I use mostly cool looking rock from a landscape yard. Some people will freak out and tell you you can get all kinds of bad leachables from rock. After rinsing all my rock very well I have never had a problem. I have not yet lost ANY fish or coral in my salt water history. Albeit it's only been a year.

 

[synyst3rshadows]

Can i have fish during this process?

 

[I'mRisenAquaRat]

You need to do some, no check that, alot of reading before you start anything.

Once you have established your cycle THEN you can add fish.

 

[drummereef]

Definitely no animals while the tank is cycling. You need to test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate while the tank cycles. Once all levels are 0, then wait a week, then it's ok to add a cleanup crew. If all goes well, then you can start adding fish.

 

[synyst3rshadows]

I mean AFTER it cycles and the rock is populated.