Rocks question!!!

[gaby_scan]

Hello all, i have rocks on my tank that i think are bad and are leaching, question is i have like 60pds of live rock in the tank, if i was to change let's say 30 for dry rock and leave 30pds of live rock would i have to cycle the tank again? Thanks

 

[kevin21]

That may not solve your problem...A lot of rock, including dry rock, will leach phosphates. I believe reefcleaners sells a dry rock that they claim are treating for phosphate leaking. It would be best for you to look for live rock from an established system. Or, just let your rock run its course and do weekly water changes. You can also run a reactor with phosban to help neutralize the phosphates. More times than not, you can control the phosphate issue.

 

[nereefpat]

Leaching phosphates? What are your phosphate readings?

I agree that I would change water/ add GFO before changing rock.

 

[mcgyvr]

The answer to the question is no..f
The addition of clean dry rock will not cause a cycle (elevated ammonia levels)

But the other guys gave good info.. And depending on the actual problem swapping out the rock may be unneeded

 

[gaby_scan]

Thank u for the answers and i did check my phosphate is at .05 so i don't think that is the problem, any more tips are welcome

 

[kevin21]

Assuming you are having algae issues....that will mask the phosphate reading. When you say rocks are leaching, you mean phosphates. They wouldn't be leaking anything else other than stored phosphate. It needs to run its course and won't test properly if there is an abundance of algae soaking up that phosphate. You need to do weekly water changes or do something to combat the excessive nutrients, such as running phosban in a reactor.