Tips for adding live rock

Just place the eggcrate right on top of the substrate.

 

Hi
I have never been an advocate of putting dead rock into an aquarium which is what you have. Anyway this article below may help you see things from a different perspective. Obviously I live in a different country to the majority of members here and since joining has given me plenty to think about especially regarding product and different techniques etc that are used.

Anyway all the best and the very best of luck

Curing live rock in a separate curing setup is the best way to handle it before placing it into a new saltwater system you are just starting. Unfortunately this is not always practical for everyone, as you may not have the extra room or equipment to do so. If the only container you have to work with to cure live rock in is the tank you are setting up as your main aquarium, here is a simple way to cure it inside the aquarium, preferably before you add substrate and start aquascaping the rocks.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:

1. If the aquarium already has saltwater in it, and/or the system is set up and running, first turn off all the equipment, remove any devices that may get in the way, and take out and save about 1/2 of the saltwater in the tank. (The reason for this is that the water level will rise when the rocks are put into the tank.)
2. If the aquarium is empty, you can either fill it about 1/2 full with prepared saltwater, or mix the saltwater solution in the tank if you need to, then remove about 1/2 of the saltwater when it is ready for use.
3. Preclean the rocks, place them into the aquarium, and top-off the water level if needed.
4. Only turn on the heater(s), and water/powerhead pump for oxygenation and circulation.
5. Let the rocks cure! This means you DO NOT add live sand or other substrate, livestock, or anything else until the curing process is complete. So how do you know when it is "cured"? You can test for ammonia and nitrite, and when you get zero readings, the process has reached completion. Often you can also tell by smelling the water. If there is no odor to the water, it usually means the process is done.
6. While the rocks are curing, periodically siphon out any accumulated organic matter off the bottom of the tank, top-off the water level when needed, and keep an eye out and remove any unwanted animals or organisms that may have been missed when the rocks where precleaned.
7. Once the curing process is complete, siphon out any debris off the bottom of the tank, and do a substantial water change.
8. Now start aquascaping the tank.

Tips:

1. This procedure is best done using a bare tank. Why? Because when die-off occurs, the dead or dying organic matter that creates ammonia can more easily be removed as it accumulates, which in turn helps to shorten the rock curing or cycling time. This also prevents excess organic matter from building up in the substrate, which can lead to high nitrate and problems with brown diatom and other type algae blooms during and after the aquarium cycling process.
2. Of course you can opt to bypass curing the live rock altogether, but it is suggested to consider allowing the rocks to cure for at least a few days in this way, before adding the substrate and aquascaping the rocks.
3. If you decide not to first cure the rocks, but intend to add the substrate and live rock to cycle the aquarium with, it is recommended to at least take the time to preclean the rocks before using them. This will help to eliminate some of the build-up of organic matter that will result from die-off, and you can inspect the rocks for any undersirable critters that may be present and remove them.
4. You should consider raising the rocks up off the bottom of the tank for this procedure. It will provide more water circulation underneath and around the rocks, and makes it much easier to siphon out the dead or dying organic matter that can build-up during the curing process.

 

Thanks for the great advice. Unfortunately I will have to add the rock directly to my tank instead of curing in another location. I will definitely be using all the knowledge I am receiving in my next build.

This actually made me think of another question. I already have live sand in my tank, and a live rock from Petco (let's not even go into the Petco topic!!!). Once I add the rock to my tank, will I need to do anything to it to help with the process of the rocks becoming live? At what point will you start to visibly see they are "live"

Hope that's not a dumb question.

 

Read the tips in my post

Hopefully others will come and offer some advice to you also, by no means am I an expert but if you just put the dead rock in with live rock and sand I think you will just be asking for an algae outbreak once everything breaks down which isn't good and can be a big problem to rid. I don't mean to be scare mongering but it is something I would never do, or have in the 5 years I have kept salt water. Other may say it isn't a problem

The term 'liverock' comes from all the living critters on and in the rock, if the rock from petco is 'Live' then the critters will move around the tank and rock and multiply in the right conditions

Hope this is of help

 

Place right on top of substrate

 

I bought the formerly live rock today and also got a piece if egg crate from Lowes. I'm guessing there is at least 80 lbs. of rock. I'm going to take a pi tomorrow before I wash them off with the garden hose, and after they are washed.

Do I need to scrub them with a brush or just rinse off? Can large pieces be broken up, or should they be left alone?

 

Not an egg carton with ink from the store!! This would be bad. By egg crate they are referring to a plastic grid about 1/2 inch thick But not the carton from the dozen eggs bought at the store. I am sure a you mentioned it would leech ink and lots if other poisons into your system

 

Yea I figured that out after researching it a little. I bought a sheet from Lowes today for $11. I may place PVC pipe under that as well but not sure yet.