LR in the dark

TRIX · #1 02-27-2008, 09:40 PM

How lond is too long to have LR without a light. I'm not looking to eraticate any nussance algea, just wondering as I am tearing down my tank and if the lights go before the rock I don't want to wreck the rock.

Phanman · #2 02-27-2008, 09:56 PM

there is no "too long" imo... ive been cooking my rock for 2.5months in the dark now. The rock looks fantastic! super clean

ElGuappo · #3 02-27-2008, 10:08 PM

So if i am looking to kill a bunch of algae romoving rock and storing in the dark for a few monthes will take care of this ? all i need is an air line and watermovment. filter? i would plan on using this rock again.

untamed · #4 02-27-2008, 10:10 PM

I suppose that depends on what light requiring organisms are trying to live on the rock. Certainly, at some point all algae will die...which is the entire reason why some people leave LR in the dark for long periods of time.

I would assume that a few days won't hurt anything. Every plant/animal has to be able to tolerate at least 12 hours of darkness per day, right?

ElGuappo · #5 02-27-2008, 10:31 PM

would these organisms not still reproduce on the remaining and new rock untill i could switch out the rest of the rock?

untamed · #6 02-27-2008, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElGuappo

would these organisms not still reproduce on the remaining and new rock untill i could switch out the rest of the rock?

Sure..yes...assuming that the old rock has a reproducing example of EVERY thing on the rocks that are being "cooked". By that argument, you might as well boil the rocks to ensure they are completely clean. At that point though, I wonder what people paid for when they purchased "live" rock.

I suppose the idea behind cooking the rocks is an attempt to selectively kill only algae. Of course, the problem is really that you have no idea what you are actually going to kill along with the algae.

Finally...I don't think it matters how clean and algae-free you get the rocks, if your tank conditions are such that algae wants to grow...it will.

Myka · #7 02-28-2008, 02:02 AM

I'd say you're gonna hurt the "good" algaes like coralline in probably about 3-5 days. Feather dusters and etc about 10-14 days. You won't "wreck" the rock though as long as you keep a heater and a good powerhead going in there. I know someone who has stored rock for almost a year that way, just "fed" it a pinch of flake food once a week, and it was good to go when it was put in the tank.