First SW Tank

makana · #1 12-19-2008, 09:59 PM

My understanding is that over time there will be no differance between live rock and the base rock. It should develop the same beneficial bacterias and algeas as the live rock, as well as the micro-organisms.

I don't disagree that more live rock would be beneficial and add biodiversity. However, the tank can't hold more rock and adding more live rock would defeat my reasons for choosing base rock.

I had originally considered making agrocrete, but decided it wasn't worth the time for such a small amount. I read a lot of really good articles on people who have had a lot of success with large quantities of agrocrete seeded from live rock. Although if anyone has had any negative experiances with trying to seed base rock I would like to hear them.

I guess what I'm really trying to find out is with my setup when is it safe to add the clean up crew and when is it safe to add corals and fish?

Patrice · #2 12-19-2008, 10:43 PM

IMO you should wait a little more. As you said, the tank is only 2 1/2 weeks old.
Yes more live rock would help lot but you can do with what you have if you are willing to wait a little.

makana · #3 12-19-2008, 11:23 PM

Thanks for all the replies!

I'm not in any hurry fill the tank and cause problems. I really want this to be successfull.

From what I have read it seems that most people are saying that around 3 months you can no longer tell wich rock is wich. I am waiting for all my levels to stabalize so I can monitor them for a while and learn what the levels do and what to expect.

I do have what apears to be aptaisa so I would like to get something in their to take care of it before it spreads. As well I don't want the hair algea to get out of control, or should I worry about that?

When would you recomend adding some clean up crew? Would you wait until the the base rock looks the same as the live rock before adding fish and coral?

My setup seems to be outside the cookie cutter mold so I am having a hard time finding information on what people have done.

Again, thanks for all the replies so far!

Carmen · #4 12-20-2008, 12:26 AM

Once you've seen NO spikes of Ammonia or Nitrates for a period of time (I waited til I was clear for atleast a week)then you are probably safe to add in a few members of your CUC. Go slowly and watch them carefully and continue to monitor your levels. Start with just a few snails and see how they do. Make sure there is a good "bloom" of algae before they are added though or they will starve.
Everyone will tell you something different as to what is the right way. Use your discression and monitor your levels and you should be fine. Keep in mind that it takes a very long time (Like 6 months +) to establish appropriate bacterial populations to keep your tank healthy and privide the filtration your tank needs. I am NO expert - still new myself - but have learned (the hard way in some cases) to go slow.

I too started with some base rock and some live rock. It takes very little time before you can tell the difference between live and base.
Have fun! This is the funnest part is the FIRST additions!

fishytime · #5 12-20-2008, 03:13 AM

Are you sure it tuffa? If so look into what people think about using it in a saltwater tank. I personally would not recommend using it. It too porous. It can accumulate debris very quickly becoming a source for bio-organic phosphate. I had one piece of either lava or tuffa. I couldnt tell as it was from a bunch lr I picked up from someone and was colored up. I thought it was a cool shape so I took it. After some time in my tank I noticed that the only piece of "base" rock in my tank seemed to be the epicenter of a minor hair algae outbreak. Needless to say since the piece has been removed I have no hair algae in my tank. Just a suggestion.

makana · #6 12-20-2008, 03:40 PM

Thats interesting. It was labeled as tufa at the lfs.

Although from what I have read there is tufa and tuffa and they are different. Some people have bought some that is mined in Ohio, some of it is supposedly old dead coral reef. I really don't know how to tell what I have. It looks like fossils in rock, it is fairly porous, and fairly fragile.

Although the pores are quite a bit smaller than the piece of live rock I have. The pores it has are large enough that snails seem to be able to live inside it. Last night I spotted two snails on the rock and this morning there was a tiny one, all the same type, not sure what type.

StirCrazy · #7 12-20-2008, 04:29 PM

Tuffa is commonly sold for tanks at stores that don't know any better, it is good for decorationg a rock garden but not your tank.. the reason is it is a bunch of minerals that are bound in softer stone that water can erode away. this is why it is so pourous. but with this also come the ability for our tanks to erode it further causing a release of mineral, most comonly iron which can lead to lots of algae blooms. Lava rock is also a bad choice as you never know what the chemical composition of it is.

Steve

Myka · #8 12-21-2008, 02:45 AM

Check out the Guides in my signature on live rock, cycling, and hair algae. It usually takes about 6 months ime for the base rock to blend in with the live rock. It takes about one year for the anaerobic bacteria to fully colonize the base rock. However, for all intents and purposes you can consider base rock to be "live" rock after about six months. The amount of biological filtration you have will be much lower by using so much base rock, so you will have to stock your tank a bit slower than normal. Joe's Juice works really well on aiptasia. Just be sure to turn off all water circulation and get the juice right down into the mouth of the aiptasia.

It sounds like you're off to a good start!

makana · #9 12-21-2008, 07:48 PM

Thanks for all the input. Since im not in any hurry I will give the tuffa its chance. Amonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate were all at 0 yesterday so I did a water change today.

My PH is 8.1, Cal 440ppm, Sal 34ppt, but Alk is only 7dkh. I have read that it can be caused by the cycle but can't find out if it will recover now that the cycle is done or should I raise it?

I also checked my water for phosphate and there was none, then I mixed in the salt and checked again and it had 0.5mg/l. Is this normal or do I have bad salt?

I also seem to have a breeding population of stomatella snails living in the live rock. Are they good or bad?

Myka · #10 12-21-2008, 07:58 PM

Stomatella snails are my favourite! I love those little guys. I wish i still had some. I wasn't aware that Peppermint shrimp eat Stomatellas until I added a Peppermint!

The "Tufa" rock I've seen for sale in stores varies greatly. I wouldn't buy any of it though. I like the feedback, and looks of the "dry live rock" that you see for sale at places like www.bulkreefsupply.com and it is affordable as well.

Personally though, I would cook all forms of dry rock as in the Guide in my signature on cycling and live rock.