Can you store live rock ?

[Patti]

Hi Everybody,
I am considering removing the live rock from my 70g fish only tank, and going artificial. I realize a natural environment is best, but I also have a 60g with LR and seahorses. I just want a different atmosphere in my FO tank. I also don't want to lose the LR all together, I may want to use it down the road sometime in a cowfish tank. Is there a way to store the rock without losing all the beneficial organisms in/on it ? I do have extra tanks, but for lights I only have extra normal output bulbs, or would the rock need light at all if it just being stored ?
Thanks In Advance,
Patti

 

[Anonymous]

You can store the rock in one of your spare tanks and keep much of the beneficial bacteria. You'll need to keep good water circulation in the tank.

I'm not sure if the coraline will survive long term under N.O. lighting. Maybe someone else can chime in on that subject.

HTH

Louey

 

[M.E.Milz]

You would also need to feed the tank regularly.

I still don't get why you would want a FO tank without live rock?

 

[Patti]

Hi there,
Thanks for your input, The reason I want to remove the live rock is because this FO tank has NO lights where my seahorse tank with LR has 4 VHO. Also once there is LR in a tank in my opinion it isn't really a FO tank anymore because like you say we need to feed the rock also. Plus with the lack of light, the rocks just look terrible, where I think if I went with large artificial rocks and plants,etc. I can then truly call it an FO tank. I also had more breeding success before the LR.

I don't know, I always go through a re-annalyzing stage with my tanks, kind of like re-decorating a house :?

Thanks A Bunch !
Patti

 

[Anonymous]

you may find some neat stuff developing on your rock in a low light environment.lots of encrusting sponges,other species of coralline,thrive in low light conditons-maybe try a peice or two in the fo tank?

for storing your lr-if it's going to be in an 'empty' tank-a small occasonal feeding of flake should be more than enough to keep it biologically active.

 

[wombat1]

Coralline algae will survive and grow under very low light, just indirect sunlight is enough. All it needs is Ca supplements and maybe?? strontium. I kept 90 lbs of rock in virtual darkness for 2 months with a couple maroon clowns. The only additives were Ca and Sr, and food for the fish. The algae spread under these conditions, and now that the rocks are in my tank under direct MH lighting the algae is still spreading. I think they can adapt to a wide range of light conditions.

 

[aquarist=broke]

:idea: You know, I can store your live rock in my tank if you ship it to me in Arizona!

 

[ReefLion]

Just to clarify, there is no need to "feed" live rock in a tank stocked with fish. The organisms on the rock will get plenty of nutrition from the spare fish food and from wastes.

Tim