So mom bought me some rock and...

[fishforlife]

My mother bought me some live rock and a gift (cool right? yeah I am 37 years old). The toal weight of the rock is maybe 10 lbs. I was wondering if I could just place it directly in my tank. My 125 G is over two months old. I have well established live rock (about 130 lbs) covered in coraline. About 50 lbs of live sand, three PJ cardinals, 1 clown, and one lawnmower blenny. Would it hurt to place it in the tank? Or should I cure it? The rock came from her slatwater tank, but has been sitting out for a month. it is just plain tan rock. Thanks for the help...

[Gilbert]

if it smells i would cure it first

[Mr Cob]

I personally would just add it if it is in fact only 10pounds and you have an already established tank with over 120pounds of established live rock. I have done this in the past and did not notice any changes in my water parameters, but my tank has been established for 2 years with a mature refugium.

If you don't then be sure to cure it first, put it in a 5 gallon bucket with a powerhead or filter.

It's also a good idea to cure it to give yourself an opportunity to find any unwanted hitchhikers. Better safe than sorry.

[RayAllen]

I agree with Mr Cob here. 10lbs of Liverock is not going to cause any problems in a 125g with 130lbs of already cured rock. If anything your establised rock with its billions of bacteria, copepods and other critters will make quick work of any decaying matter in your new rock.

[Gilbert]

with the tank only being 2 months y'all dont think it might be a little to soon

[Mr Cob]

with the tank only being 2 months y'all dont think it might be a little to soon

not based on this statement from him:

"I have well established live rock (about 130 lbs) covered in coraline. About 50 lbs of live sand,"

[RayAllen]

2 months isnt a problem. If he has 130lbs cured rock adding 10lbs isnt much, if he was adding 25+ lbs Id say cure it seperatley.

Gilberts has a point about the smell though. If its rancid or smells like eggs Id defintaley cure it seperatley, if its smells like a rock/saltwater then i wouldnt worry about it. IMO

[jkhunter]

Since it has been sitting out for a month....it is now dry rock. Add it in! Dry rock won't effect your water ;)

[Gilbert]

Since it has been sitting out for a month....it is now dry rock. Add it in! Dry rock won't effect your water ;)

i dont think that the weather we have been having would have fully let the rock die

[fishforlife]

Thanks for the info guys! good stuff. Allow me to reply...

- The 120-130 lbs of live rock in my tank is well established.
- The 40-50 lbs (or more) is the same, both form MAAST memebers.
- the live rock my mom bought is 3 small pieces. It smells like rock. On one small brown area it smells like dirt...(i guess I will scrape that off) But nothing stinks.
- the rock is not even 10 lbs total....
- I talked to my mom and it has been sitting out about 3 months.
- I have a good protien skimmer, and Sump...

I will wait till you reply, but if there are no major objections, then I'll just add the 3 small pieces...

[RayAllen]

Just add them, The aquarium will be ok

[fishforlife]

I just threw them in a about 30 min. ago. They are white compareed to all my coraline and brown rock....kinda cool looking. I place a small piece of rock touching the new stuff. Hopefully that will encourage coraline growth.

[Gilbert]

there will no damage if you throw it in