Odd question maybe

[Delphinus]

Why not throw some Cycle into the tank? Or how about some of that Zeovit bacteria - they actually have a product used for seeding new tanks (as opposed to the little bottle of Zeobak or whatever it's called) - it comes in like a 1litre milk jug looking container. Then just start stocking conservatively, and see how it goes?

I can't seem to find any info online for it but it's something I noticed at an LFS once. I asked what it was and they told me it was for seeding new tanks. (It has nothing to do with the actual Zeovit system..) I thought it was a keen idea but am sort of confused why it isn't easy to find any online info about it. Maybe it's discontinued. I dunno, see if someone in your area sells Zeovit stuff (Lando???) and ask if they've heard of it maybe?

[Dez]

Thanks for your help guys. I'm actually going to marine aquaria right away where Lando works. I am noticing there is some sponge on my cooked live rock. If the sponge has been living/growing for 4 1/2 years in the dark, technically it's cured rock right? I just don't want to do any injustice to any livestock if I start adding livestock. I'm not in a huge rush, I mean, I've waited this long, another month or 2 isn't going to hurt. But it's always the family members that want to have an "instant" tank. My wife doesn't want to wait for frags to grow, my kids want fish NOW. But I'm patient. I will see how it goes. I'd like to tear down my nano right away, but I don't want to kill the emerald crab in there and the snails if I just add them into the tank right away. I guess I'll just go slow.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Des

[Myka]

All "cured" means is that there is no more die off on the rock causing ammonia or nitrite. After 4 1/2 years of no nutrients being added there isn't going to be a whole lot of life, but there will be enough there to seed a new population. Pods may not still be there however, but the nitrifying bacteria should still be intact inside the rock. You might want to find someone with some established chaeto that has a bunch of pods in it, and shake it in your tank to seed some pods.

Personally though, I would add a few cocktail shrimp, or squirt 15 mysis shrimp in there or something like that, leave it for 3 days, and test ammonia and nitrite. I wouldn't be concerned about adding it to a tank right now, but I would be a bit hesitant to add too many fish right away. I always add corals first anyway as they help to process fish waste, and put out only a small amount of waste which would be enough to kick start the rock back up. I think you will be surprised how quickly it purple's up.

[naesco]

Originally Posted by Dez

Thanks for your help guys. I'm actually going to marine aquaria right away where Lando works. I am noticing there is some sponge on my cooked live rock. If the sponge has been living/growing for 4 1/2 years in the dark, technically it's cured rock right? I just don't want to do any injustice to any livestock if I start adding livestock. I'm not in a huge rush, I mean, I've waited this long, another month or 2 isn't going to hurt. But it's always the family members that want to have an "instant" tank. My wife doesn't want to wait for frags to grow, my kids want fish NOW. But I'm patient. I will see how it goes. I'd like to tear down my nano right away, but I don't want to kill the emerald crab in there and the snails if I just add them into the tank right away. I guess I'll just go slow.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Des

Go slow!