SRC Supporter Harlequinmania Posted May 22, 2009 SRC Supporter Share Posted May 22, 2009 Live rocks in your marine aquarium contribute greatly to your success of your aquarium, and the porous found within the rocks which is extremely porous and serve as the primary biological filter in saltwater tanks that is required to have a healthy aquarium. The many holes and crannies in this rock give it a tremendous amount of surface area for both the beneficial aerobic (needs oxygen) and anaerobic (does not need oxygen) bacteria to live on. This is what makes live rock such a great biological filter for your tank. The beneficial bacteria helps convert the ammonia from fish waste and uneaten fish food into nitrIte. The second step is when this bacteria converts the nitrIte into nitrAte. The last step is when the anaerobic bacteria converts the nitrAte into harmless nitrogen gas that escapes via the water surface. However, using un-curved live rock which you just purschase for the local LFS is going to be a problem if you did not cure it prior to putting it into your tank. You are going to see a much greater die off rate then those pre-cured rock which will result in a ammonia spike !! These are some of the recommend method used for the cycling of our newly bought live rock which is summarised as follows: 1) When the live rock is unpacked , look and remove any white, slimy areas and anything else that is decaying. The white spots may represent an organism, typically a soft coral, hard coral or sponge, has died. Removal will help to minimise the stress on the system by removing another source of nutrients and prevent containment to your tank water. 2)Clean off some of the invertebrates on the rock, such as sponges and corals. But unless you know what you are removing and are experienced they you may remove some very valuable specimens. There is no need to be so harsh and take to it with a brush and scrub it clean. This practice is rather excessive. 3)Inspect each rock for the presence of bristle worms and hary crabs and remove any if found. Bristle worms have a tendency to come out of the rock, or hang partially out, after the rock has been in transit. You may also leave your rock out of the water for a few hour to let these pest drop out of your rocks. It is also a good idea to remove any plant growth, both macro and micro algae, as these can easilyre-grow from the root system left behind. 4) A mechanical filter can be used during this period to help remove suspended solids from the system during cycling, but ensure that it is cleaned regularly, every day is preferred. This is because the material the filter catches is not removed from the system. It will continue to break down and contribute to the addition of pollutants in the system. 5) Operate the skimmer continuously and tune such that a dry, dark foam is collected. 6) Run activated carbon if possible in a high flow area of the system such that the water passes through it.Once the cycle is over use activated carbon as usual, whether intermittently or continuous. 7) Operating a lighting during the cycling of the rocks helps to promote coraline algae growth but it is not really necessary , however a 6 hour lighting-period with blue actinic lighting is good . 8) Performacing of the higher frequency of water changes the better, as this helps to keep spped up the process of the cycling . The amount of the water change can vary, but a 50% is a good start. If there are problems with such a high volume change then decrease to a level that is possible. But the higher the water change the better as it will remove more of the nutrients and pollutants and speed up the cycling. 9) Lastly, You will need to monitor the water parameters with your test kit(s) for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate in order to determine the cycling process. However, once you have no longer detect ammonia and nitrite and there is no longer a foul smell, you can consider the process complete. How long it takes depends on the shape/quality of the rocks in when you start the process. Quote 1000 Gallon Tank in the Hole http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/topic/120957-1000-gallon-3d-hole-in-the-wall/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
successnowhere Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Tks for sharing, but for Point 8. must we really change water frequently during tank cycling process? Quote Admiring a well designed Terrarium's garden indoor is like walking thru a garden after a whole day work... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Supporter Harlequinmania Posted May 25, 2009 Author SRC Supporter Share Posted May 25, 2009 Tks for sharing, but for Point 8. must we really change water frequently during tank cycling process? It does help alot to speed up the process with frequent water change, but a minimuim one time change of 50% during the completion of the cycling process is a highly recommanded before you put any fish in.. Quote 1000 Gallon Tank in the Hole http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/topic/120957-1000-gallon-3d-hole-in-the-wall/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Supporter Harlequinmania Posted May 26, 2009 Author SRC Supporter Share Posted May 26, 2009 Another good link contributed by one of the reefer here; SaltAquarium's LiveRock Guide Quote 1000 Gallon Tank in the Hole http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/topic/120957-1000-gallon-3d-hole-in-the-wall/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oprime Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 Best to get "cured" live rock. Its cleaned thoroughly and looks amazing......no need to worry about the worms and sponges. Pretty good stuff..... Quote AH SIANG KISS MY ARSE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member finind Posted August 10, 2011 SRC Member Share Posted August 10, 2011 a final test if the liverock is cured is to throw in some food if no worms crawl out then good lor.. else ..LL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnsfpl Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 its really hard work to cure LR i dried my rocks for more than a month but yet a gorilla crab manage to survive thankfully my chopstick manage to finish it off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member finind Posted August 10, 2011 SRC Member Share Posted August 10, 2011 its really hard work to cure LR i dried my rocks for more than a month but yet a gorilla crab manage to survive thankfully my chopstick manage to finish it off last time i killed one with chopstick too and that was immediately after that bar-girl change to soft-shell crab :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oprime Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Bro thats the best part and the beauty of it - WE DONT HAVE TO DO IT OURSELVES! We can buy it ready made cured and cleaned at 8 bucks a kg from Iwarna! No fuss no mess. Quote AH SIANG KISS MY ARSE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelvin_leeks Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Thanks for the advise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member domvonn Posted July 2, 2012 SRC Member Share Posted July 2, 2012 some rocks do smells but not very overpowering, is it normal ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincolngoh Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 a final test if the liverock is cured is to throw in some food if no worms crawl out then good lor.. else ..LL Wow. Thanks... gross lol... what will these worm do if unremoved? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bennett Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Issit ok if I put in live rock from the sea?? I was snorkeling and fund a few nice rock. Inside found baby octopus, worms and crab. Issit ok to leave them inside? I'm still cycling my water. Is only 1st week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simmonsim Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Hi Harlequin, does the sand bed acted the same as Live Rock ? for both aerobic & anarobic bacteria ? Is there any difference between using fresh water sand & salt water sand ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine_fanaticz Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 Hi just asking... I have a few prices of live rock from my previous saltwater tank. I then removed them upon throwing the tank away due to cracks. the rocks have been soaked in freshwater, and I believe all living organisms in it has dies. the rocks have been dried for about a week under the sun, this no longer making it "live" . So today I got a new tank with saltwater purchased from my LFS. can I use year rocks for my new tank. will bacteria be able to grow on it again, making it live once more? Thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member digibee Posted October 13, 2012 SRC Member Share Posted October 13, 2012 Yes, after awhile those rocks will become "live" again. You can also dose bacteria while cycling..... Quote () Happy will do ... (o_o) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine_fanaticz Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 Ok thanks dude!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member liquidnoise Posted January 8, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted January 8, 2013 I find it interesting as i am cycling the tank as well as the rocks. Inorder to start propoerlly we sun all sand and rocks under direct sunlight till the rocks are white. This should remove all parasites? Now the rocks have been in the tank for about 1 wk. I notice that the areas tats under neath another rock has fast rate to turn pinkish. From wat i read its good sign. There are greenish and brownish and red. which i read from this forum is good as well. my next question will be; if i wanna introduce zoas / mushrooms/ etc. these rocks shdnt be all covered with colors? A very stupid question is will it actually cover the whole rock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine_fanaticz Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I purchased my live rocks about 4 months ago, dipped them in fresh water and dried them for a week and put it in my new nano ios tank to cycle. I had tested my ammonia went up at first, then nitrites were high. then finally both dropped to zero and nitrates went up. wc. total it took about 4 weeks. so cycle is complete. I added clownfish and have been very healthy since.. water change 10% every week.. 4 months have passes and my rocks still white! worst of all I'm having a sudden diatom attack.. my rocks still very white no form of algae growing. As what some other reefers have advised me, seems a bit wierd. anyone knows why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Supporter Harlequinmania Posted January 9, 2013 Author SRC Supporter Share Posted January 9, 2013 I purchased my live rocks about 4 months ago, dipped them in fresh water and dried them for a week and put it in my new nano ios tank to cycle. I had tested my ammonia went up at first, then nitrites were high. then finally both dropped to zero and nitrates went up. wc. total it took about 4 weeks. so cycle is complete. I added clownfish and have been very healthy since.. water change 10% every week.. 4 months have passes and my rocks still white! worst of all I'm having a sudden diatom attack.. my rocks still very white no form of algae growing. As what some other reefers have advised me, seems a bit wierd. anyone knows why? The " live" rock is call live for a reason when u dip into the freshwater and dry Over few day it must have been become dead rock by now which turn white. After awhile your coraline algae will come back Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2 Quote 1000 Gallon Tank in the Hole http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/topic/120957-1000-gallon-3d-hole-in-the-wall/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine_fanaticz Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 I just decom my 4 month nano and rescape... so today start back cycling again. Point no.4) using mechanical filter like wool, sponge ect... must wash everyday... can wash with freshwater? As in let it run under the tap and place it back? Thx:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhtteo Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 You can try using filter socks, so far i'm very happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine_fanaticz Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 ive got another question, my tank is not in the 2nd week of cycling and i noticed that some of the coraline algae on my rocks are disappearing... probably because i am now switching off all my lights and keeping the tank dark to prevent a diatom outbreak. My question is, can i start dosing coraline algae additives (purple tech, coraline gro ect) during the cycle? or must i wait for the cycle to end before introducing these additives? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member artxakis Posted February 15, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted February 15, 2013 my tank is abt 1 mth old. my live rock has turned from sporiadic light purple spots to now fully covered with light purple with certain areas very dark purple in colour. some spots are very white in color and it looks rather thick with some pointed edges. any ideas wats dat???? been dosing with alk , mg and ca+ almost daily abt 1/3 teaspoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ongorg Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 bros, thanks for sharing. i am abit too late when read this...finger crossed..hope my rocks all ok" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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