The "How to go Barebottom thread."

[SeanT]

My bropsis has been gone since I first "cooked" my rocks...thankfully.

What you are doing is a form of "cooking" I suppose.

But the two drawbacks you have are:

1. With the rocks in-line with your main system there is plenty of P in the water column, giving the bacteria a free and easy source of fuel.
What incentive do they have to burrow into the pores to eat?
Would you work for that Big Mac if someone was just handing them out?

2. You are not dunking and swishing your rocks.
Try this on a few of the rocks and you will SEE why it is beneficial.


Did the other tanks "cook" their rocks per the instructions or just keep them in the dark, in-line, like you are doing?

Sean

 

[Coralmex]

I think the other tanks just kept the rocks in darkness...and in line.... One almost 6 months.... And the Bryopsis came back...

 

[SeanT]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12986561#post12986561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Coralmex
I think the other tanks just kept the rocks in darkness...and in line.... One almost 6 months.... And the Bryopsis came back...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12981085#post12981085 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeanT

1. With the rocks in-line with your main system there is plenty of P in the water column, giving the bacteria a free and easy source of fuel.
What incentive do they have to burrow into the pores to eat?
Would you work for that Big Mac if someone was just handing them out?

 

[volivier]

It is very hot here, 101 today, if i put some of my old dried rock into a tank in the garage, in salt water, with a power head. Is that all i'd need to do? No need to worry about the heat? It is some rock i took from my tank last year due to hair algae. Been in a box in my basement

When you do the dunk and swish, do you have to use saltwater? or would ro be ok.

 

[SeanT]

Needs to be "seeded" with some live rock with bacteria.

The dunking and swishing needs to be done in saltwater.

 

[volivier]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13009555#post13009555 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeanT
Needs to be "seeded" with some live rock with bacteria.

The dunking and swishing needs to be done in saltwater.

okay, and can the water in the buckets be kept for the two dunkings each week? What about the heat? not a problem?

 

[SeanT]

Water, no, it will be dirty after the dunkings.
As said in the instructions, be prepared to make a lot of it.
Heat, not a problem.

 

[volivier]

Great! I guess i'll get ready tomorrow.

 

[SeanT]

It is a chore.
But you WILL be so happy with the results when it is over.

 

[Patis46]

Ok im almost ready to set up my tank 55G and put water in it for the first time and then i discover this thread. So now i have a couple questions.
I have seen this stuff called (base rock) it is dry and looks like there is nothing at all on it. Could i use that in my tank for most of the rock and seed it with say 10ish pounds of cured un cooked LR to get the whole thing up and running?
I do not plan on adding fish/inverts fast but slowley over months.
Thanks
Pat

 

[prodman]

I have some rocks(from a fellow reefers tank) that were in a circulated heated tub for several months without regular water changes. I bought them and have been doing the recommended procedure for cooking. Its been over 2 weeks now and not much is coming out of the rocks. I have done this before and a lot more crud came out. Also there is still some green algae surviving the process. How long should it take for it to go away? I have the rocks in the heavy duty Rubbermaid tubs outside.
Thanks

 

[SeanT]

Patis46,
Are you asking if you can just seed base rock, cure it, and start your tank?
The answer is yes.

The best bet is too "cook" the base rock first, seeding that with some live rock rubble.

Sean

 

[SeanT]

prodman,

Being that they were in tubs for several months, I would surmise they are semi-"cooked".

About the algae:
Are the rocks in total darkness and covered?
Are the rubbermaid tubs new?

Sean

 

[prodman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13026772#post13026772 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeanT
prodman,

Being that they were in tubs for several months, I would surmise they are semi-"cooked".

About the algae:
Are the rocks in total darkness and covered?
Are the rubbermaid tubs new?

Sean

I would agree with the semi cooked. And for the algae they are old rubbermaids, and they covered. But they are outside I dont think light is penetrating the tubs but I could be wrong.

 

[SeanT]

Since it has only been 2 weeks in your tubs I would give it some more time.
Scrub the algae off with a stiff bristled brush before you dunk them.

Sean

 

[prodman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13026951#post13026951 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeanT
Since it has only been 2 weeks in your tubs I would give it some more time.
Scrub the algae off with a stiff bristled brush before you dunk them.

Sean

I have been and will keep scrubbing. I have another 3 weeks before my new tank arrives so i continue to let them do there thing

 

[Patis46]

Actually i what i ment to ask was if i could throw it all in at the same time uncooked?
Thanks
Pat

 

[SeanT]

Pat,
Are you wanting to "cook" it all together?
If so then yes, that would be fine.

Sean

 

[fishnugget]

I have had a repeating problem with phosphates. Would cooking rock fix this? My only problem is what to do with my fish & corals when I remove rock to cook it. My biology would be gone. Also, do you have any pictures of rock racks you have made?

I already run bare bottom. Cyno has always been an issue with me. Bare bottom or DSB.

Want to do tank & go more SPS. Getting rid of leathers.

 

[SeanT]

Just leave the corals and fish in the tank.
With a good skimmer and smaller, more frequent rwater changes during this time you will have no ill effects.

As for BB or DSB...everyone has their own preference.
I prefer BB.

Sean