Live rock

I currently have some live rock and live sand in my 37 gallon tank that has been up and running for about 17 days with two hermit crabs, one false percula clown and one springer's damsel. I would like to add more live rock in the pretty near future. Is it okay to add cured live rock at any time, or will it upset the balance in the tank and cause problems?

Thanks for your help!!

 

You can add in more rock anytime. I would just add it in slowly (like 1 or 2 pieces / week) to avoid any spikes from die off.

~Will.

 

I know someone will jump on and say you added livestock too early, I won't.. Whats done is done, IME.

As far as adding more rock, if it is CURED you stand a better chance. If its uncured I would DEFINITELY not add to an existing aquarium unless its large and can support the sudden increase in ammonia.
With cured many people will still recommend to add little by little, but honestly normally I say heck add 10-15# no biggie, BUT in a 37 without a sump, fuge or strong skimmer even adding too much cured rock can bring about a fair amount of ammonia. BUT this depends on a bunch of factors, what life is on the rocks? If it is sponges or bryzoans it will die causing more NH3. If it is realitively bare then you can expect less NH3 introduction.

Lastly you would be surprised how fast a healthy system can break down ammonia. BUT that is also a system that is more than 2.5 weeks old..

Take your time and build slowly!

Congrats on the new tank!!

 

What about adding base rock and then allowing it to become live? I suppose it depends on how quickly you want things to happen.

 

Great point Elliot! Also saves more rock for the ocean to colonize...

 

I talked a lot with the owner of my local marine fish store who has been in the business for over 30 years and he is the one who said I could add two fish after a week if the water was healthy. I'm not planning on adding any more fish for at least a month, probably longer.

 

That is a really great idea about adding base rock and letting that become alive. I will definitely look into that! Thanks!

 

I agree, I am not the one doubting you. I am a HUGE proponate of not waiting!! You need a critter in there(like fish) to establish a biological filter... Yes rock will do it but just like anything in live there is a thing called population control. IF you have rock with BB on it, the colony will NOT grow without added NH3. Lets say for simplicity you have 1000 BB and enough NH3 to support 500 of them the colony will die off until its at equilibrium.
If the colony is to grow, NH3 must be added to the tank to support the population growth, typically in the form of waste from fishes respiration/excretion.

JUST adding TOO much TOO fast is a bad thing as the colonies will not be able to grow fast enough to support the increase in ammonia production

 

Okay, I see what you're saying...I thought someone was being mean to a newbie! :-[ I just added these fish to jump start the ammonia production and am not planning on adding any more fish for quite awhile. I don't want to lose these guys!