Derek Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 I setup my tank in April. I would like to add more rock to the system. I have had not so great luck with adding rock in the past, i.e. it caused my tank to re-cycle and caused some losses. Does anyone have any recommendations for adding more rock to my tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 Cure it first in a bucket with old tank water? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 ya, tank the water u use for water change and cure the rock it a separate aquarium or tub with a powerhead and light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+o0zarkawater Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 Last year I replaced about 35lbs of rock from my 55gal with dry reef rock and didn't see any sort of cycle. Using dry/clean rock will be your safest bet to avoid any sort of cycle. But if you have time, the above is a great idea. I would even maybe drop in a small rock from your current setup to help it seed/cycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted September 8, 2013 Author Share Posted September 8, 2013 Sweet. I definitely have time and a big bucket to spare. I can get some rock and cure it no problem. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bpb Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 Yeah unless it's a tiny amount I like to cure it first. In my year and a half old 55 gallon I've swapped/added rock in the amount of 20-30 pounds on two separate occasions. I've bleached and acid dipped it both times and then cycled it for 8 weeks following that before adding it to my tank an have had zero mini cycle issues, deaths, or algae increases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Yeah, if it is a small amount then I would just add it in since your water capacity is greater than most and can take it. But if it's a ton of rock, then my vote is for the cycle in a separate bucket method. How's your livestock doing these days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 (edited) It really depends on the reasons behind adding new rock. If you just want a more full look and don't care about adding any diversity of life, then I would add dry rock. My experience with dry LR has been excellent. If you want to order a big box from an online store and want all of the hitch hikers then I would cure it in a seperate container with a light attached. You shouldn't cause a cycle if you add small amounts of rock to your existing system, regardless of the die off. Adding 5 pounds of rock per 2 weeks or a month shouldn't affect anything in tanks above 55g. Edited September 9, 2013 by Sascha D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neon Reefer Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 The rule of thumb is to never add more than 10% at a time to eliminate the possibility of NTS or a re-cycle. I like to use a 48 qt Igloo a small peice of shrimp and you caneasily put up to 40lbs of rock and a little circulation pump w/ old tank water and whoala! In a few weeks you have cycled rock. Make sure you keep the temp around 80F, I also test for PO4 and if it is above 0.02 i start doing watrer changes, or add something to export it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 I just want to fill things up. I want to get dry rock to do it. I just don't know if I have to cure it first. Ty: All the live stock is good. I just want to add some more rock to help with biological filtration and add hiding places. I may just get a few rocks at a time since they can be expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaJohn Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Or drop a few pcs in your sump and let them do there thing in there. i would only add a small amount at a time then transfer the stuff from the sump to the tank and add more new to the sump. If you add to much at a time it could cause a cycle. Best bet is a separate system to let it cycle in with old tank water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 I used BRS pukani on my pico and it did cause a cycle by itself. Not sure what was on it but there was something that needed to decompose. I would either add it very slowly to an existing system, or cure it in a big tub for a few months before adding to an existing tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+o0zarkawater Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Dry rock from reefcleaners has been my favorite rock so far. http://tinyurl.com/oa64gk8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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