Cycle Confusion

Will be enough "dead" stuff on LR to adequately get cycle going...

Used to just dump LR into tank of mixed water...and let it go.

Unlike Tangster, who gives terrific accurate advice, I want all the "life" I can get with any LR I buy...is reason I spent extra $$$ on the stuff.

Not only are you importing vast populations of various kinds of bacteria...you are also bringing in probably hundreds, if not more, varieties of "micro fauna" and alga's (tiny creatures) - which you never will see or have in tank if you just use base or just "nuked" rock.

Most of above are very beneficial.

Also dipped each piece of rock in bucket of SW with high salinity (1.04+)...any nuisance critters hiding in rock...worms,snails, crabs will come running promply out of rock.

Pick out what you don't want, and dump remainder back in tank.

Biggest LR threats are usually nuisance anemones, snails, hair algae, predators...

Remember way back when when these occurances (except last) were quite rare...

LR once came much faster from Reef to you....unlike now where it sits in massive tanks for long periods of time either curing or waiting shipment...all the while spreading "nasties" between each other. :-/

If had to redue, or replace for any reason, would have to very, very particular about source and provider and know exact status of rock as shipped to me.

Otherwise would probably go Tangsters route.

Always have some 30-40 lbs of very pretty rock or coral hunks I picked up on beach in Bali...in sump ready to go if needed or help get another nearby reef going.... (Sorry - "NOT FOR SALE!!!")


there be a market in this??? Guaranteed "pest free" LR loaded with great critters and beneficial alga's...8)


Ok...reconsidered, "NOT FOR SALE!!!" --- now it is....$50 a pound... :

 

LOL 50 bucks a pound. I have to get in on this deal.

 

Does the $50 include shipping?


Also, Tangster are you out there. I seem to have lost you again...

 

Here I R'er ;D

 

OK, everybody knows that I'm anti-live rock but here's something to think about. If we go through so much trouble quarantining our fish and corals because of all the nasty stuff they can bring into the aquarium, why are so many people so willing to indiscriminately just dump live rock into their tanks when the rock can carry as many if not more pests into the aquarium? Food for thought

 

as weird as it sounds, i picked up some cheap LR about 20# just cause it was a good deal, sat it in some clean 5g buckets and submerged in some 1.030ish sg water and sat it outside in the 104 degree oklahoma days, im pretty sure when i get around to using it it'll basically be wet base rock at this rate

 

Good point Amcarrig. It sounds like there has been some live sand added from an establised tank so all of the critters that one should need should be in there.

I'd go ahead and add what ever rock you are going to put in there so it's sitting on the glass instead of the rock. Maybe clear what sand you already have out of the way. I would suggest base rock but that's just me... no worries that way. ;D

As Tangster mentioned you'll need to start testing your water parameters to see where the tank is at. Someone else mentioned adding your livestock. I would strongly disagree with that. You might get away with one hardy fish but no more at this point. You'll chance losing the fish and this will only add to the cost.

 

Wanna bet?

 

Oh how the algae lika da hot water...

 

LOL I have asked that same question a million times , One case comes to mind with a Guy in Va . He micro managed his tanks to death would always test his water on Monday Thurs and Sat. firsts a High resolution then the low resolution test and did the Lows twice kept a record of times and date and reading had a Octopus controller to call and tel him a water temps have changed by 1 degree even or a light must be out as the temp sensors where running cooler then normal , I watched him one day but a huge hunk of Fiji full of moving crap and stuff all over it.. I asked him how long will you quarantine that for ? a coral or fish spent 3 months in the custom Q tank he had made .. He said you don't quarantine L/R LOL well about 3 months later he was over ran with flatworms LOL I laughed my A$$ of , then he did not want to use any chemicals and they finally took over his wrasses and everything else he tried did not do the job . I doubt he will ever do that again