live rock in Fish only tank

[prohockey86]

Hey all i always had a reef tank. But now i am looking to go fish only possibly getting coral inserts. My questions is, i don't want to get live rock because i would be able to fix illnesses easier, Are there any types of rocks that can be purchased and placed inside the tank that wont harm the tank and isnt live rock.

 

[ZANYMASTER]

There is dry rock but the meds would probably get in that too.Use dead coral like some of the fish only tanks have.

 

[Reef Fixations]

Texas Holey Rock and Lace rock. Marco rock is another option. All are dry terrestrial rocks and would need to be cured.

EDIT: They all naturally buff your PH up.

 

[prohockey86]

dead coral

dead coral would be great thanks

 

[prohockey86]

rocks

hey how would i cure the rocks if i went with them

 

[basiab]

First of all whatever rock you put in it becomes live rock over time.
I am not sure why you think illnesses can be treated better without live rock. Some treatments will kill off stuff but if you don't care whether your rock is live or not then what is the issue.
Live rock is better for your fish than no rock. So why not give them the benefit when they are healthy rather than worry about what to do when they are sick. They are less likely to get sick if you environment is set up properly.

 

[Awibrandy]

First of all whatever rock you put in it becomes live rock over time.
I am not sure why you think illnesses can be treated better without live rock. Some treatments will kill off stuff but if you don't care whether your rock is live or not then what is the issue.
Live rock is better for your fish than no rock. So why not give them the benefit when they are healthy rather than worry about what to do when they are sick. They are less likely to get sick if you environment is set up properly.

+1:groupflip

 

[prohockey86]

kill live rock

what if i dose the tank and the live rock dies. wouldnt that change the levels drastically in the tank

 

[Reef Fixations]

The rock doesn't die. Some of.the bacteria may die.but it will come.back. the rock.will absorb whatever u put.in the tank and if u ever go.back.to.doing reef again, then.those meds may make it tricky.

 

[KathyC]

what if i dose the tank and the live rock dies. wouldnt that change the levels drastically in the tank

Why would you dose the tank if you are making it a FO tank?
Water changes should keep your levels fine for fish if you feed within reason.

Dosing a tank - done properly should not kill the rock.
New tanks rarely require dosing.

 

[prohockey86]

dosing

By dosing i am saying if fish get ich or other viruses which they shouldnt since i have a UV light. But if it does i was always lead to believe that with live rock there are limited items to dose with. But if tht is false then iwill carry my live rock over to my new 180

 

[Reef Fixations]

Inverts/corals will be lost but bacteria will remain

 

[Reef Fixations]

Oops double post

 

[KathyC]

By dosing i am saying if fish get ich or other viruses which they shouldnt since i have a UV light. But if it does i was always lead to believe that with live rock there are limited items to dose with. But if tht is false then iwill carry my live rock over to my new 180

I'm sorry, I misunderstood.

A UV light will not protect your fish from getting ich or other illnesses It may help minimize some illnesses but that would be all.

Basically there is no way to treat Ich in a tank that has live rock in it. The only 2 methods of killing Ich are copper based medication - which will turn any live rock to garbage (could never use it in a reef tank), and hyposalinity which would kill any critters in the rock.
Fish should be QT'd before being added to any tank so that it isn't an issue you should ever have to deal with.

 

[prohockey86]

recommend

so what do u guys recommend then if i get a fish that becomes sick in my new tank. Fresh water bath?. Or create a smaller tank to clean fish in if so how would i go about that.

 

[prohockey86]

oh and on a a different topic...water is clean and al levels are correct....if i changed my t 5 go leds and my zoos closed and are turning brown...does that mean the light is too bright or too dim

 

[Awibrandy]

Did you acclimate your animals when you switched to LEDs?

 

[prohockey86]

no

no i always acclimated water an salt but not the light. How are u supposed to do that

 

[Awibrandy]

That right there may be the issue. Try turning the LEDs down a bit, wait a few days, and see how they react.
I switched from MH/PC to LEDs. I started out with the LEDs at about 15%, and slowly brought them up to 100% blue, and 50% whites. No issues with any of the animals.

 

[prohockey86]

ok thanks will try that