Live Rock

[Eelzor]

I'm not sure if live rock must be acclimatized as I cannot find anything about doing that on the internet, so I take it that it is not neccesary as it's just rock. But I was thinking that the small critters living in the rock may perish if you do not climatize the rock. I just need re-assurance.

tnx in adv.

 

[Mr Miagi]

The organisms on live rock will most certainly die or are already dead, but they grow back rather quickly once in and set-up comfortably.

Goodluck Eelzor. I gather you are starting a SW tank?

 

[Eelzor]

Yeah, mostly in the research stages now.

So I can just put the rock in badda-bing badda-boom? I just wasn't clarified. )

 

[Navarre]

You have 2 choices of Rock, cured or uncured.

Most rock is sold as Cured and if its good quality liverock then simply add it in the tank and you should find the tank is instantly cycled.
Yes its true that some things will die off again once added but this is minimal.

 

[Dragonscales]

If ever in doubt about the quality of the rock eelzor, never be afraid to cycle your tank beforehand anyway. Always better to be safe than sorry

 

[Eelzor]

If ever in doubt about the quality of the rock eelzor, never be afraid to cycle your tank beforehand anyway. Always better to be safe than sorry

yeah, I was going to allow that anyway just for good measure as im in no rush to add life just yet.

My lfs sells cured live rock and I am sure it's good quality.

Thanks for the help and Ill keep you updated.


Edit: Actually just a few more questions -

1.How long can the live rock survive cured in the bag for?
2.Are SW snails just for algae control? And are they nessesary if you are not growing corals or keeping anemones?

 

[Navarre]

If the liverock is packed properly then it can last over 24 hours and still have enough l life on it to cycle the tank instantly. However you have to be sure the shop you get the rock from packages it properly.

Snails are an important part of the cleanup crew. they eat algae and any left over food that escapse the fish. They are no threat to the corals. The problem arrises when you have a fish only tank that has such fish as large wrasse, triggers etc.

Your cleanup crew should consist of snails, hermits, cerith snails and other similar scavengers. 1 cleanup crew per gallon of water is a good measure but try to mix the different types of cleanup crew so all habtis are catered for.

 

[canyoubelieveit]

What is the proper way to package live rock to minimize die off? I have been told that you rap the rock in plastic (to keep the moisture in) and then you put it in a box. You are also supposed to keep the rock warm, so keep it in the car with you rather than in the trunk.

Is there a better way to package the live rock?

 

[Navarre]

thatas basically it. keep it moist in plastic bags really.

 

[Eelzor]

The store I am going to get the live rock in basically has fish and inverts swimming all around them - I take it there cured and fine to buy?

 

[canyoubelieveit]

The store I am going to get the live rock in basically has fish and inverts swimming all around them - I take it there cured and fine to buy?

It sounds like this would be fine. Ask how long the rock has been in there to make sure.

 

[Eelzor]

The rock has been in there as long as I know. I bought 5 pounds today and it seems to be full of life. Critters are hiding all over the place. I wouldn't say they smell rotten, but very "oceany"? That the best word I could come up with. )

 

[Navarre]

Oceany is the smell your looking for. beleive me, if its uncured then it will blow your mind

 

[tomstanks]

I once bought live rock to add to an existing reef setup. It was out of the store tank about 15 minutes before it was put in the 90 reef. Everything seemed fine. Then the the death of about 4 fish occurred. I was away for about two weeks and the client did not call me. They were not upset but the water parameters were fine when I returned two weeks later and did tests. Everything that was in the tank was thriving as well. This was a bit of a mystery to me but the only thing I think might have happened is a small die off of things on the rocks....causing an amonia spike...that leveled off after it did its initial damage.....THEORIES Anyone had a sudden die off after putting in Live rock before? The rock was cured. No I did not give it a saltwater bath...the client does not have the desire or the facility.....


All is well now and the tank is thriving.....