Storing Live Rock

[Furnman]

I'm buying some live rock from a friend and will need to store it for a while before I turn my tank on. I have some 44 gallon barrels that I can make up some salt water in, and I have some powerheads that I can use for circulation.

How long could I keep the rock in the containers and what else do I need to know to keep the rock healthy?

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

just a heater and flow and your good to go. it will be like cooking the rock. but will last a long time.

 

[Furnman]

Temp

Temp

How warm does the rock need to be kept? My storage and sump equipment in my cellar w / a temp of 76 degrees. Is that enough?

 

[saltee dood]

I got a good deal on never out of water live rock a few weeks back....unfortunately my build is moving at a snail's pace.

So, I got one of the big heavy duty rubbermaid totes, and put the sand and rocks in it. I treat it just like a sumpless tank, check the parameters a couple times a week, keep an eye on the temp and topoff a little three or four times a day.

Since it is in my garage at the moment, I dont have to worry about a heater....I do have to use a fan blowing across the top to help keep the temps under 85. Bewteen the fan and the 2 K1's and a medium sized Seio, the temps stay within acceptable ranges.

working great...did a big water change last weekend cause the DOC were building up and I thought I saw some cyano starting.

Ive got a ton of fan worms and a few hermits running around in there....plus god only knows in the sandbed. Hell, I wish I had more room since I have had to pass on several more great LR deals at my local reef club forum.

 

[snorvich]

A temperature of 76 F is just about perfect. Make sure there is a powerhead or equivalent.

 

[Furnman]

RO water

RO water

When I make up the water for the storage barrel w/ the rock, can I get away with well water or should I turn my RO system on? I rather keep my filters and DI resin fresh until I turn the tank on.

 

[saltee dood]

I guess it depends on exactly how much life you have on the rocks, IM treating mine just like a tank that is cycling. Try to keep all the parameters within acceptable ranges, and use clean water to top off and for water changes.

I know I have quite a few inverts that I would like to have when I move the rocks into the tank, so I'm erring on the side of safety...YMMV.

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

IMO I would still use rodi water, if there are phosphates and such in your water you still won't want that in your rock.

 

[snorvich]

A hearty agreement with kau_cinta_ku; rock WILL absorb phosphate and that is undesirable. Use RODI water for all things associated with your tank.