Adding more live rock

[shawn114]

If I add more live rock to an existing tank that has a some in there do I have to wait a few weeks before I add fish. I have 4 pieces of rock that have been in there for 4 weeks and my tests look good, and I dont have any fish or anything yet. Could I still get fish and then add more live rock down the road?

 

[hdtran]

As long as you're adding a relatively small piece of LR compared to your existing LR, that's fine. Or, if the LR has been sitting in the LFS's show tank for a while (e.g. fully cycled), then, you're fine adding a large piece of LR.

 

[Dubge]

You can always put in in a bucket to cycle. I have done it both ways, added cured rock from the LFS and cured it in a bucket and a 10G tank

Ray

 

[shawn114]

How long should it take to cure in a bucket. If I buy cured rock I should be able to just put it in the tank and be good to go right.

 

[shawn114]

If all my tests come back ok, I should be able to introduce some livestock, right?

 

[Dubge]

Did you get a spike in your tank? If so and everything is at 0 you could add a couple fish, just don't add to much to fast

Ray

 

[shawn114]

I was thinking about getting a stock of livestock from saltwaterfish.com. It seems cheaper to order online, but to get free shipping you have to have a minimum of $75 order. Fish stores are much more expensive. What do you think? good idea or not so

 

[Anonymous]

You sure they have free shipping? It's pretty easy to spend $75 on marine livestock- that sounds like a good deal. Their site seems to be down at the moment, but from Google's cache I could only find references to package deals such as janitors etc....

 

[jsbradbury]

How long does it usually take to cure live rock? Either in a bucket or 10g tank.

 

[Anonymous]

I add a bit at a time of fully cured or cultured rock from my LFS so I can see that the fishies are swimming with the rock and everything is fine. This way I get to be real picky nad it gives me an excuse to go visit the shops. I have never had a spike doing this.

 

[Anonymous]

How long does it usually take to cure live rock? Either in a bucket or 10g tank.

It depnds upon how raw/cured it is when you receive it. It culd only take a matter of days to up to 4 weeks. While I have no experience with it I have heard people say that their rock cycled in days when buying aquacultured FL rock. Most pacific rock is going to take a while as there is a lot of decay on them.

 

[shawn114]

yes, free shipping on orders $75 or more, the livestock seems cheaper but they advise long acclimation times, up to 2 hrs. I suppose it's not much fun being thown in a dark box and tossed around for a day till it arrives at the front door. so I dont know if it's a good idea. When im in saltwaterfish.com I call on LFS's to compare prices. I have found the site to be cheaper. Try it out and let me know. Of course, I haven't bought anyting yet till I can find someone who has or has some kind of input.

 

[Anonymous]

If you do not have fish I would suggest getting the rock and cycleing it in your tank before getting the fish. To cycle in a seperate container you will ne to invest in at least a heater, powerhead and possibly a skimmer, unless you do water changes every day. Finish with the rock then get the fish. It will teach you an important lexxon in this hobby -- patientence.

 

[diver0077]

I have bought fish and inverts from them and was very happy with the purchase.