Live ROck

[NavyNano212]

Hello:

Is there ever a reason to "replace" LR? I have read different opinions on the matter. Some say you should after several years to "replenish or refresh" your system. My thought is no because in the ocean, LR is replaced??

Also...what are thoughts on adding "decorative" coral(as in dead coral you would buy at a fish store or some tourist shop...I know horrible thought, but I do have some that is beautiful and would make a nice addition for display)to a tank for aquascaping?

 

[Reefsaint]

Never replace LR. Just like you said the ocean doesnot why should we!
I have some of that decorative coral and my new polyps loo great on it!

 

[NavyNano212]

Cool. thanks! I will probably add the decorative coral when I upgrade to a larger tank after my move to Brooklyn in July!

Deciding on how much larger and what to buy....a whole OTHER thread!:bigeyes:

 

[tonep]

I have a question.
How do you recure live rock?
I'm not sure if it is the right term but I have rock that was live but has been out of the water for 6 months.
How do I make it "live" again?
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Killerdrgn]

put it in a big vat with saltwater, then a lot of the stuff that died will rot and really smell, after a couple of weeks it'll stop smelling and then it will be ready to become live again.

 

[tonep]

Can I just add it to the tank or do I add some live rock to the vat to "seed" it?

 

[basiab]

Let it cure out of your tank. When ammonia and nitrites stay at zero then put it in your tank and your tank will seed it.

 

[jejton]

Without commenting on replacing LR in our closed systems, in the ocean you bet live rock is replaced. Live rock is mostly the skeletons of coral colonies which have died and broken off and then recolonized by other organisms. In the ocean, there is constant biological activity resulting in the deposition of new rock from growing coral colonies, as well as the destruction of existing ones from such natural processes as storms and of course human destruction. These eventually are eroded and the cycle continues, at least until we completely f#*# it up.

 

[jejton]

I have a question.
How do you recure live rock?
I'm not sure if it is the right term but I have rock that was live but has been out of the water for 6 months.
How do I make it "live" again?
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

To make it live again, you probably will have to reseed it. While curing, throw in a some live rock rubble from an existing tank or LFS.