Adding Live Rock

[Mr_Cool]

I got some live rock about 3 months ago (about 90 lbs. or so). I've had it in a big rubbermaid tub with a power head running ever since then. The thought was to "cook" the rock to get rid of the bubble algae, aptasia and halamidia (sp?). But, I guess I wasn't really doing it the right way.

I have changed the water in the tub 3 times now, each time using the old water from my system after a water change. (I forget who it was, but someone told me I should be using freshly mixed saltwater.) Anyway, I scrubbed it all down really well today and I'm pretty sure I've taken care of all the bad stuff on the rock. Here's the question(s)....

1. Should I mix up some fresh saltwater and put the rock back in the tub for a little while longer just to make sure?

2. If the rock us cured (which I believe it is), how much can I put in the display tank at a time? (That is, will there be a jump in my nitrates readings even if the rock is fully cured?)

3. Anyone need any base rock? (There's about 25-30 lbs., I'm guessing, that I won't be using. I think some of it is real rock, but most is that agrecrete stuff. Looks pretty good. There's a few spots of coraline on it, and I'm sure it will all color up with time.)

[RayAllen]

I recently purchased 50lbs of Almost completly cured rock from Ed and added diectly to my system without any problems, my skimmer skimmed like crazy for a while but I had no ill effects. With it being in a tub for 3 months Id say you are good to go and I personally would add it all at the same time, because you are going to want to redo the rock work from the get go and adding at once would make it much easier.

[Mr_Cool]

Thanks for the quick response, Ray. I was hoping to hear that answer.

I really wanted to re-do all the rock work all at the same time, rather than in steps.

[JimD]

I dunno, personally, Id be kinda careful with that, I guess as long as the water the rock is in is reading zero or really close to it it as far as ammonia etc. goes, it would be ok, otherwise Id continue to do water changes until you get zero's accross the board. Be careful, Id hate to see you nuke your tank.

[erikharrison]

It sounds like you did it right. Did you check the levels in the "scrubbermaid"? I would check those before adding anything!

[Bill S]

I agree with Jim - easy does it. Tell us about the rock. Was it lighted, heated, etc?

My aptasia grows just fine without light. Personally, if I had rock with all of THAT on/in it, I'd put it on the deck for a couple of weeks with fresh water on it. Then run it heated with saltwater for a couple of weeks, making sure the water parameters were fine, then I'd add it very slowly to the main tank, monitoring it. Pests are insanely difficult to get rid of once introduced.

[Mr_Cool]

Okay. So, if I've already added about half of it, how long should I wait to put the rest in?

It did not have any light on it, and the powerhead pretty much kept it warm enough. I didn't check the temp. or any of the levels, but it didn't smell bad. I've heard that was a pretty good indication of whether it was cured or not.

I have some saltwater mixed up right now. Maybe I'll wait a while. If my ammonia 5pikes, how long will it take to notice? I have another week off for the holidays, so I guess I could wait a little longer. I've got the right side of the tank's rockwork all done like I want it. I was going to start on the left side, but I think I'll wait to see what kind of response I get now.

Thanks for the input so far!

[erikharrison]

If it's bad it will reek of sulfur. It should have already shown some kind of rise in ammonia by now.