how do i let the dark side take over?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Edmonton newbie

no no just put a raw shrimp in the tank and in a few weeks you will have cured most of your rock

Not exactly. First, you don't cure the rock, since it had no die-off. Second, the difference between a cycled tank (not producing NH3/4) and having functional live rock, is the presence of denitrifying bacteria deep in the pores of the rock. This is going to take much longer than a couple of weeks. With dry rock in a NH3 free tank, you have pretty rocks. With real live rock, you have a filtration system for your tank that reduces NO3 to free N, giving a (mostly) complete nitrogen cycle. This is why a mature LR tank can be NO3 free, while with decorative rock, NO3 builds and requires water changes for dilution.

[Wayne]

If was doing a drop off I would strongly consider using dry rock so that you can place and glue everything at your pace. Then as suggested seed it with good quality live rock for a few months and then you should be pest free and good to go

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Not exactly. First, you don't cure the rock, since it had no die-off. Second, the difference between a cycled tank (not producing NH3/4) and having functional live rock, is the presence of denitrifying bacteria deep in the pores of the rock. This is going to take much longer than a couple of weeks. With dry rock in a NH3 free tank, you have pretty rocks. With real live rock, you have a filtration system for your tank that reduces NO3 to free N, giving a (mostly) complete nitrogen cycle. This is why a mature LR tank can be NO3 free, while with decorative rock, NO3 builds and requires water changes for dilution.

thanks for that post Brad.....Ive been trying as much as I can to get this point through to people......we are seeing a lot of people coming to the shop with this problem or that problem and through talking out their systems we find out that they have used a large percentage of dead rock and have stocked the tank wayyyyy to fast for the colonizing bacteria to
"catch up"....... maybe we can sweet talk Mindy into doing a "dead rock" article and make it a "sticky"?

[RedCoralEdmonton]

^totally agree with what Brad and Doug are saying.... same problem here in Edmonton....

Steve

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by fishytime

maybe we can sweet talk Mindy into doing a "dead rock" article and make it a "sticky"?

Ok. You ask I think one of the most, if not THE most important things in building a reef is the rock. People are willing to spend thousands on lights, but without the right rock to build on, the lights are just going to grow problems.

Dry rock is a viable alternative, IF you have the patience. I know patience is not something I personally have much of....

[troni]

I know forsure that a cycled tank and curing rock is different. I think I had a thread on here that was titled cycled rock vs cured rock and myka gives a good talk. I think I'm convinced with such a small price difference in used and rock from the lfs I'm going to use quality rock. I think an article like that would be great because at one point I was searching for that topic. Would 20 lbs of live and say 10 lbs of dry pack my 20g to full? I won't have a sump untill I build my own stand.

[RedCoralEdmonton]

I think your 20 lbs of live would be sufficient, one lb per gallon is the rule I go by and it hasnt failed me yet...

Steve

[troni]

Originally Posted by RedCoralEdmonton

I think your 20 lbs of live would be sufficient, one lb per gallon is the rule I go by and it hasnt failed me yet...

Steve

Oh yes I understand that but to create a cliff, easier with base rock. But I want to have enough live rock.

[RedCoralEdmonton]

in that case follow the 20 lbs of live rock and use however much base as needed for your project!

Steve