Rocks -what/how?

[Europhyllia]

It's 4 AM and I can't sleep because Jordan N. made me think about my rocks again...

The new aquarium will be set up in the same spot as the old one is now so there's no way to have the new one cycling ahead of time.

The liverock in my current tank has some stuff on it I don't like so yes- like Jordan said- a tank upgrade might be the perfect time to just start over.

But I want to keep all of my livestock and like I said: Setting up the new tank before moving day is not possible.

I really like the use of dry rock (marcosrocks.com).
And I won't have the funds and all of the equipment for the new tank for another few months anyway.

So how about this: can I set up a mock up tank now? A large tub with circulation, venturi pump for aeration, new marco rock, a clamp light (most of my most beautiful coralline seems to grow in my refugium under the clamp lights), feed a cube of mysis to the rocks every other day and have ready to go clean healthy liverock in a few months?

I was considering just adding the new dry rock to the sump (my sump only has cheato - not the caulerpa I am trying to get rid off in my display tank) for a low maintenance way of getting the new rock cycled but I am wondering if it could still catch some stuff and be infested as well.

What to do? How to do it?

[Europhyllia]

Also:
I saw this interesting info on aquascaping with mortar (does that sound reefsafe?)
https://www.marcorocks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=49

This could be a fun project in the next few weeks where I could assemble structures without hurry before I tub cure them.
Thoughts, experiences?

[kkiel02]

Pmd on dry rock. I would setup a stock tank and get as much rock seeded with bacteria as possible. Bacteria grows expontentially so the quicker you start the better. I would consider getting a ball of chaeto from a fellow reefer if you are worried about the caulerpa taking off again. I believe mortar has to sit for awhile as it is pretty acidic at first. I want to say a couple months but that is from reading about making your own rocks way back when I started reefing so its probably not right.

[alton]

Just a thought buy or borrow a long sump palce all your new rock in it, and plumb it into your exisiting system. In two months the new rock should pick up enough to help with the transfer?

[Europhyllia]

Just a thought buy or borrow a long sump palce all your new rock in it, and plumb it into your exisiting system. In two months the new rock should pick up enough to help with the transfer?
I have a large sump! I was worried it would pick up spores or something from the main system though.
Kevin, yeah I was wondering about mortar curing time because I read it takes forever for cement to stabilize (pH) but I don't know how similar mortar and cement are in that respect...

[StevenSeas]

^^^^ I think the potential problem with this is one, her system is already etablished enough on its own so the new rock wont get as much growth as if it were in an isolated system being fed the same amount that she feeds her fish. Aslo if you to do this there is the potential for caulerpa to get on the new rocks, even with a UV sterilizer plumbed into the input(a far less chance but still a chance). I agree with your first idea Karin of putting it in a tub, lighting and having increased flow. I would just make sure to have a couple peices of established rock in there to begin w/. Also I think that you should start on a feeding program to start with less food and slowly work your way to basically what you are currently feeding your tank as that is the current "input" of nutrients that you will need your rock to be able" to "output

[Europhyllia]

It's the Fiji Dry Rock from MarcoRocks I am using and I love the texture and porosity. I just saw BRS has it too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4Eg-alnQuU&feature=player_embedded#!

[Europhyllia]

I want to say a couple months but that is from reading about making your own rocks way back when I started reefing so its probably not right.
Found an answer to our question:

Use gloves, mix small portions of acrocrete at a time. Use equal parts of Portland cement and crushed coral. Use just enough water to mix. You don't want the mixture to be soupy at all. Put the acrocrete in the joints. If you have any rubble rock from your Live rock shipment. Place it on top of the acrocrete once it is in the joint. Much like you would building a fireplace. This will help hide and once the acrocrete is covered with coralline. Don't worry about the PH levels with fresh acrocrete. That is only a real concern when making your own live rock because of the amount of Portland cement used. Since we are just using to fill in the joints it isn't enough to be concerned about PH levels. After your done with filling in all the joints you will want to moisten terry towels to keep the rock damp while the acrocreate is curing. I have found terry towels the best as using newspaper or paper towels will dry out too quickly. Also a good idea if possible to cover the tank to keep from drying out. Usually I time it to be done with the acrocrete around bedtime so that first thing in the morning 6-8 hours later your ready to put water back in.
http://www.tcmas.org/article_aquascaping_part1.php

I am getting kind of excited about the new rock thing. Might be able to start looking at my caulerpa rocks as an opportunity rather than a problem.

Does anybody know if threaded Nylon Rods are available locally?
https://www.marcorocks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=40
7453

[Europhyllia]

Rocks on order
Nylon threaded rods on order
I am starting over :(
:)