Live Rock assist?

apexifd · #1 06-03-2014, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I'll seed my dried rock with real rock, and add some sludge with pods from a holding tank. Also adding snails and hermits, and I'll feed it regularly.

are you using dead rock?

Aquattro · #2 06-03-2014, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apexifd

are you using dead rock?

Hibernating rock

Ok, ya, it's dead. Not my preferred choice, but I had access to some really nice large pieces that have dried out. I think it will be fine, with the proper care and handling. I think..

Proteus · #3 06-03-2014, 03:34 PM

I seeded my dead rock with a sponge that was in origanal sump. For a month or little better. No issues when I transfered. Stocked with fish and frags same day it was filled.
I also double up on Prodibio which I was using at the time.
If you dose zeobak for ten days straight you should be fine

Delphinus · #4 06-03-2014, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Hibernating rock

Ok, ya, it's dead. Not my preferred choice, but I had access to some really nice large pieces that have dried out. I think it will be fine, with the proper care and handling. I think..

Not that I would discourage this practice, but I thought the same thing and 3+ years in my tank still has PO4 issues if I don't have massive amounts of money burning in a gfo reactor, er, I mean, if I don't have massive amounts of GFO being replaced every couple of weeks.

I would instead encourage a healthy mixture of rock-that-hasn't-been-dried-for-too-long in the tank as well.

Aquattro · #5 06-03-2014, 10:00 PM

Tony, the rock is so nice that I need to chance it. If it goes wrong, I will order a fresh box of rock. I have added some of this rock to my existing tank, and no issues, so I'm hoping

apexifd · #6 06-03-2014, 11:13 PM

last time when I add 40# of dead rock in the 210. everything went downhill fast!

However, if you have the time to treat and cure the "not so alive" rocks, you will probably be ok.

craigwmiller · #7 06-03-2014, 11:35 PM

You have the zeo stuff, so why don't you do the 14 day zeo cycle in the bucket? Take a few pounds of 'good' live rock and do the 14 day job. I did that you months ago when adding 100 lbs of dead rock to my system and it worked very well!

Aquattro · #8 06-03-2014, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigwmiller

You have the zeo stuff, so why don't you do the 14 day zeo cycle in the bucket? Take a few pounds of 'good' live rock and do the 14 day job. I did that you months ago when adding 100 lbs of dead rock to my system and it worked very well!

You'll need to remind me what the zeo 14 day thingy is!

Aquattro · #9 06-03-2014, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apexifd

last time when I add 40# of dead rock in the 210. everything went downhill fast!

I added about 20 to my 180, no issues at all. No localized algae, etc.

DSlater · #10 11-30-2014, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Not that I would discourage this practice, but I thought the same thing and 3+ years in my tank still has PO4 issues if I don't have massive amounts of money burning in a gfo reactor, er, I mean, if I don't have massive amounts of GFO being replaced every couple of weeks.

I would instead encourage a healthy mixture of rock-that-hasn't-been-dried-for-too-long in the tank as well.

Tony

Think I'm in the same boat. Started with a huge amount of dead rock that had a good acid bath and bleach bath. Added some live rock from a local tank and soaked it in the garage all together for 4 to 6 weeks, skimmer, power heads, and a bit of light.
Now the tank is about 1.5 years in and I'm still leaching PO4. Other than pulling the rock out and replacing, are there any other options?
Really don't want to replace rock but don't want to be fighting this in another couple years as well...

Jesse