Live Rock

[ZigZagZombie]

My question is....Right now i have a 70gal. with about 35 to 40lbs. of live rock in it. I know it's not enough, all the parameters are good. Now if i add a piece or two of live rock to it, will the tank cycle with that little addition??? I want to get to about 70lbs or more.

 

[SeaView]

Well, how small are we talking. I would think a 5lb well cure peice of rock may not pose much of a problem. But - If there is any significant dieoff on the rock even a small peice could eaisily over burden a new system and cause a nutrient spike.

I would recommend that you cure any new rock you plan to add before introducing it to the tank. Curing is very easy and worth peace of mind.

Steve

 

[GMH320]

I agree with SeaView. Get the the 70 lbs and put it in a Rubbermaid container with a powerhead and a heater and just let it sit. If you are buying "cured" live rock MO, the there will be some dieoff during shipping and should be ready for your tank in about 2 weeks. If you get it from a LFS the curing time will be much less. By curing the rock all at once, it makes it a lot easier to aquascape the tank since you have all the different pieces in front of you at once, and disturbs the tank less than if you add it a little at a time.

 

[SeaView]

Yes 2 weeks in the 10 gal. should do it. If it is a short trip to the lfs it could be less time. If you test the water you can be sure when it is fully cured

Steve

 

[GMH320]

Another advantage of keeping the rock in the 10 gal tank would to keep an eye out for mantis shrimp, unless of course you don't mind getting one or two in your main tank

 

[mariner]

As long as the place the rock is coming from is reputable and they say it is cured, throw it right in the tank.Remember, Live rock is a third of the filter in your tank. The other third is you skimmer and another third your deep sand bed. It'll only improve your filtration. I had about 40 lbs in a 55 once and caught a great deal for $2 a lb off of a guy on this website and bought another 100 lbs. When I got home I threw it right in the 55 gallon to store it and that tank was the clearest and cleanest tank ever within a few days and, I had inverts in the tank.

 

[AnotherGoldenTeapot]

I agree - if it *really* is cured then you can add it right away.

If you go the 10gal route then you don't need a filter - the rock IS the filter... Just make sure there's plenty of water movement.

 

[ZigZagZombie]

Thanks for the help.....

 

[ZigZagZombie]

How bout if i put it in a 10gal. tank with a heater and a filter. I would buy the rock from a LFS. So then every rock i put in my main tank should be put in the 10gal. for around 2 weeks first?? Should this be ok??