Storing Live Rock

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Myka

I think dry rock is a bigger pain in the [butt] than anything you guys have listed here. First and foremost, I want the rock to be a good filter system from day one.

don't know how it could be a pain in the but. only takes a few days for backeria to establish and then not long after that to adjust to your nutrent levels. I can see if you dried you rock with a lot of organic matter on it then you will have a tone of organic die off, but if you are setting up a tank anyways you sould be prepared to take your time. in reality unless you are setting up an instant tank with enough live rock that you will not ever see a cycle then the time fram between live rock and dry rock will be virtual identical. it is only the first could days of the bacteria population that will be different because the rapid growth of bacteria will explode after that.

if you are waiting 6 weeks for a cycle, or more then the only difference will be astethics... in other words lack of coraline. in the right enviorment this will be resolved quickly anyways especialy if there is no algae competing for nutrents.

I set up my 94gal with 230lbs of cycled rock and I set up my 25 with all dead rock... never had algae problems in the 25, or unwanted things like mushrooms and polyps (did I mention I will never have muchrooms in a tank again )

with in 6 months you would never be able to tell the difference in terms of coraline and color..

but I do respect that some people want fresh rock and like the surprises that come with it.. when I set up the first tank I used to look for new stuff every day.. but the 8 years of fighting unwanted stuff has tainted my views for my own tanks. in fact the majority of the rock I use in my tank setup I am in the midst of planning is going to be home made but I am mixing in chunks of dry rock with it in an atempt to make a natural looking surround and bottom for the tank. it is an idea right now and I may throw it in the garbage after I make it if it turns out like crap, but well see.

Steve