Live Rock

[Sherry]

How many days can live rock survive wrapped in wet newspaper during shipping? (Ground shipping from Florida to New York)?

 

[Anonymous]

hard to say.. it matters how well it is packed and how cold your weather is now.

when in doubt, get it here as fast as you can.

 

[zonkers]

Hi Sherry,

I'm guessing you just ordered it online?

I think your rock should do just fine, but all the same-- even its its from someone/place you trust-- I'd quarantine it for safety. Even if its pre-cured, you should still expect some additional die-off, which could get pretty stinky & also release additional ammonia. Run it in a QT with carbon & PolyFilter for a couple of weeks, & keep circulation moderate to strong.

I have also read that it is helpful to keep new rock elevated on short tubes of pvc while in QT, while leaving some 'bait' on the tank bottom. This is a technique for removing undesirable hitchhikers. Supposedly (never had to try this myself), a crab or mantis shrimp goes after the bait, but then can't get back on the rock. Do what you will with them then.

Should be just fine

Pete

 

[Sherry]

Thanks Pete!

Question though?

The only thing I have in my tank right now is saltwater, powerheads, heater, and wet/dry filter. I have T5 lights on the way but no fish because I was waiting for the live rock to come. I wanted to cycle the tank with the rock and live sand before I bought anything else.

Will my tank work for quarantining the rock?
Also how stinky are we talking?
Will the fumes bother a parrot or a rabbit?
Is there anything I can add to the tank to help things along such as shrimp, snails, crabs, etc?

 

[zonkers]

Ahh ok, yes, you can add your rock directly to your tank in this case. As long as the rock is cured from the vendor, then the odor should be minimal. I did the same thing when I 1st set up my tank about a year ago.

I purchased my rock, cured, from a local shop, where he had it running in tanks dedicated for live rock. Even this rock, however, began to smell a little bit after a couple weeks. Nothing overpowering, but just a little sulphur odor noticeable if you sniffed the water.

If your rock is not cured, however, than you can still use it in the main tank as part of your initial cycling, but the odor could be much stronger. As I understand it, curing live rock at home has led to divorce in the past :lol:

I also kept some Astraea & Turbo snails during my tank cycling, as well as a sandsifter starfish. These guys did just fine.

Hope this helps...

Pete

 

[Sherry]

It does.... Thank you!