live? rocks!

[marco candini]

In a near future I am going to set up a "Berlinese" aquarium with hqi, good skimmer... and live rocks. The problem is: I have only one aquarium, and it will be in the living room. I would like to avoid that *my aquarium smell like a died bear for one year *also would like that my living rock -fiji, expensive, one- remain live... Now, if I buy all the rocks -50 kg. for a 300 l. aquarium- together the nitrite and the nitrate should go up for some time and this should kill my live rocks,or some animals on them... Wouldn't be a good idea to put in two or three time the rocks in the aquarium, for example 10kg now, 20 in a month and 20 in another month? So, the second rocks should find a better enviroment... or not?
Thanks, and excuse my bad english

Marco, Italy

 

[cindywennin]

I assume you are starting from the beginning with your tank. If so add all of your rock at once. If you add a little here and a little there you are going to risk the life and health of any livestock and inverts you add to your tank in the meantime with the probable ammonia and nitrite spikes from uncured live rock. As far as the smell goes...it is the skimate from the skimmer that smells. The rock might smell when it arrives but after it is added to your tank and under water you will not smell anything. Keep your skimmer collection cup clean and, IME, there will be no smell while cycling your tank.

If you already have a tank with live rock in it and want to add more you should cycle your new, uncured rock in a separate container with a skimmer. Use a food safe plastic container.

Cindy

 

[danmhippo]

Actually, your English is VERY GOOD, compared to some members like.......uhh.....ME!

To answer your question: If you introduce new batches of LR at different times, you may be experiencing mini cycles everytime you introduce a new batch.

This is what I would do in your case: If you are able to get a rather big trash barrels (new, unused) fill with saltwater, drop in a heater and a submersible pump, place your new LR in it until it "cures". Change water in the barrel as you see fit. If you want to keep as much macroalgae as possible, then I am afraid you will have to cure/cycle them in your tank.

However, I have cured. setup, cycle many many tanks, I have not have the scenario you are describing. I really don't think it's a big concern. Not-unless your rock is in very poor shape!