Dead Live Rock for new set up

J

Jet

New member
Hello,

I've a 14g Biocube set up for just about two years. I'm ready to set up a bigger system now. I'll be going 40g breeder with 20g sump. The 14g currently has 20 llbs of live rock. I've an addtional 50lbs of dead Pukani that I bought from another CR member. I'm in no rush and want to keep things as simple as possible. My intent is to move everything in the 14g to the 40g. Keeping the 14g to house frags or possibly quarrantine.

I've no interest in acid bathing the dead rock.

Would the easiest way to "seed" the dead rock be to do so in heavy duty plastic tub with pump and heater? I assume I need light but would natural light from nearby window in the basement be sufficient? I haven't bought lighting for the new tank and hoped I could seed this rock before setting it up entirely.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Again, keeping it simple and in no rush. I like fall/winter projects.

Thank you.
 
I don't think you need light. Just throw everything in and wait. Change the water after it cycles to prevent leeching in your tank.
 
No need for light. That bacteria that you want is nonphotosynthetic. Adding a bottle of Dr. Tim's or the seed product from aquaVitro will help kick start it! Having it warm and having good water flow is a must. ( that doesn't sound sexual)
 
So I'm FINALLY getting around to setting up the 40 Breeder. I've got the dead Pukani in a tub with heater and powerhead. I'll be using a couple pieces of live rock from my three year old 14g cube. I assume that 4-6 weeks should be enough to seed the dead Pukani? Will I need to change the water more than once?
 
I started cooking the rock back in April. Then I injured my hand and have been unable to manage a water change since. (surgery+cast+water= is no bueno) I managed a 10 gallon change tonight. Total volume is 15 gallons. Would the good bacterias, etc survive 6-8 weeks with no water change? And high salinity from evaporation and on added two gallons of fresh about 4 weeks ago. Or should I start the process all over again?
 
I think the "cooking" of the dry rock with heat and powerhead is to allow bacteria to break down all the dead dried on organic crap that is stuck in every pore, nook and crevice. This can also be done with freshwater but people like to use saltwater to speed up the overall process by encouraging the bacteria that live in saltwater to start the colonization of the beneficial bacteria that will eventually turn your dead rock to live rock in your tank. If you have the time, cook with freshwater. The fact that your salinity went way high will simply change which kinds of bacteria could survive/thrive but the main purpose of the cooking is to break down all the organic material that is all throughout the very porous Pukani and this can be done with halophiles (high salt loving bacteria). As you put your live rock in with the dry rock some of those good bacteria survived and are now "seeded" in the Pukani and will be able out compete the other types when environmental conditions improve. Do a 100% water change and test your phosphates, if you are low ~3-6 ppm the majority of the organic residue is broken down and its time to turn on the lights.
BTY - 50# of Pukani is going to nearly fill your 40B.
 
Yes, it is much more rock than I anticipated. I’m cooking all of it so I have a good selection for aquascape but I’ll likely use much less. I still have at least another month before I can use my hand fully so I’ll continue to acquire equipment and do the things I can manage. Thank you for the detailed response.
 
Hi if you are moving your live rock into the new tank why would you need to get the dead rock ready? Your current live rock is handling your existing bioload. You are moving both into the new tank. I would think you are fine and th dead rock will become live while being in your new tank.
 
Don't sweat it. Add it slowly and if there is any die off on the new rock, there will already be an abundance of the right bacteria just waiting for levels to elevate on your old rock.
 
In case your thinking about using muriatic acid.....don't.

The rock continues to dissolve weeks after the treatment. And, is still very susceptible to algae. Nothing beats a properly cooked live rock except maybe a rock completely covered in coralline.
 
Yeah, I had no interest in the whole muriatic acid bath. Trying to keep things as simple as possible. I'm patient.
 
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