Adding LR in stages??

[Alberta-newb]

Originally Posted by untamed

Adding new rock to an existing system is dangerous because any ammonia spike endangers the existing fish/critters.

What you describe is an excellent idea for starting a new system. The first rock that goes in has the toughest time. Subsequent additions benefit from the bacterial support on the earlier rock. Save your best rock (most alive) for the final addition. That was what I did when I started my tank. (4 loads)

Only 4 loads? From your signature I see you have a 400 gal, I know my banker wouldn't let me do it 4 lots if I had a 400 gal.

May I ask how many pounds your total is?

Francis

[untamed]

Originally Posted by Alberta-newb

Only 4 loads? From your signature I see you have a 400 gal, I know my banker wouldn't let me do it 4 lots if I had a 400 gal.

May I ask how many pounds your total is?

Francis

I mispoke...it was only 3 loads. The first load was low-quality base rock and I used it to fill the sump. I initiated a cycle on purpose at that point. Once I was sure that sump rock was cycled, I took LR in two more stages with a few weeks between loads.

Overall, I think I have about 300lbs of rock. Most people would say that is light for a 400 gallon tank.

[justinl]

lfs rock is rarely cured. I got a large portion of rock in the beginning and cherry picked slowly after that. When i made additions, I cured it at home in a bucket. real easy and it ensures there is no spike upon addition. just submerge the rock in a container (tote, bucket, spare tank, etc), throw in an air line and heater and let it sit a few weeks. If you're really anal about it, you can test nitrogen levels, but i don't bother. I like to cure in a spare tank because it allows me to inspect the rock for any unwanted hitchers during the curing process.