Questions on rock (1 Viewer)

[Cathman]

So, I recently purchased a small 58 gallon system thinking it would be enough. Well it was not and now I am the proud owner of a 200gallon deep dimension tank.

With that being said, I will need additional rock. The tank i purchased had quite a bit of bubble algae. During the move of the tank, I picked, chiseled, plucked, everything I could, then scrubbed the heck out of the rock and washed it all in the salt water trying to preserve the bacteria so I wouldn't have a cycle. Success at no cycle, but now the bubble algae is back in force once again...as if I did nothing at all to the rock lol.

So, with the new tank I am wanting to get some of this dead or dry or whatever they call it rock. But then I got to reading that you have to cook it first before putting it in a tank. And by cook, basically what i have read is put it in a tub with saltwater and let it cycle for a few weeks.

I saw a type from reef critters or something like that, that states it is good to go straight into tank and will not cause a cycle of any kind. No phosphate leaching either. Is there such rock?? Is it true? Anyone with experience would be great. I am wanting to order rock this weeke so i can have it here for weekend set up of new tank, but i cannot have both tanks running at once..new tank going where current one sits and the room its in will not accommodate both at once. Suggestions welcome. Prefer not to buy rock as I am trying to avoid unwanted things...at least as long as possible.

 

[Reefahholic]

Get your rock from Crystal Sea. One of our Sponcers here on Marsh.

I have a thread on this first page about their rock.

I cured the rock in a vat from tractor supply. No algae issues at all. I usually cure all dry rock for about 4 to 6 weeks in a dark room.

Just heat your water, add a lot of flow, run carbon if you develope any funky smell, skim if needed (I didn't), and you will be good to go.

The thread is about 4 pages with replenished pictures on page 4.

 

[Cathman]

Thanks for the suggestion. However I a little limited on the distance thing. Also, what I meant was that I preferred not to buy used rock and if possible not have to set up a place to break it in...space limited with what I have already. Trying to start fresh an unused so to speak as i read stories about old rock leaching phosphates and having unwanted critters or algae....in that situation now. Plan on give the little bit of rock I have now in some acid to rid it of the pest and start with a new layer.

 

[Reefahholic]

Thanks for the suggestion. However I a little limited on the distance thing. Also, what I meant was that I preferred not to buy used rock and if possible not have to set up a place to break it in...space limited with what I have already. Trying to start fresh an unused so to speak as i read stories about old rock leaching phosphates and having unwanted critters or algae....in that situation now. Plan on give the little bit of rock I have now in some acid to rid it of the pest and start with a new layer.

I'm confused. You said you needed additional rock.

If you are not buying rock and keeping the little that you have and your worried about pests, just let the rock dry out for a week. It will kill everything.

Then you'll need to cure it due to all the die off. Just do what I mentioned above and in about 4 weeks, you'll be good to go. I would skim if the rock is full of life. Plus do water changes when it gets funky.

Dry rock doesn't have pests. It can leach PO4, but it's not as bad as people make it out to be. Get a Hanna ULR if your worried and dose LC. That will purge any PO4. Just test and if it's high, keep dosing till your at 0.

 

[Cathman]

Sorry, I re-read and it is confusing lol. I do need additional rock. I am trying not to buy used/already previously in an aquarium rock. Looking at dry rock since I know all is dead. But then I read you have to do what you mentioned above, but I found someone else's thread which said they got rock which had already been cleaned and washed and then dried. No phosphates to worry about and no pest. Put it in tank and seed or let it seed itself. Could also be added to other rock without causing a cycle of any kind.

So, I did not know if such rock existed or it really does work that way. It was from reef cleaners website.

 

[Reefahholic]

Crystal Sea Texas has DRY VIRGIN ROCK BRO.

It's clean.

No pests.

No phosphates on the white rock.

They pressure wash it.

Not many places you can actually "HAND PICK" your own pieces of rock.

Tell Them Reefahholic sent you over. Look at my thread on the front page. Pictures of exactly what you'll see when you get there.

 

[Reefahholic]

BTW, I'm from the Beaumont area too. Head up I-10 and hit the 610 loop and your there. Only about 1.5 hour or so drive.

 

[mganapa]

Tampa bay saltwater is amazing. I just got my shipment from them last Friday for my 65 gallon. It's right from the ocean. But it does have hitchhikers and is a tad bit expensive. However, cycling time is much less and you get some cool corals and sponges.

 

[OceansX]

Also, we have a new local store that is cycling, using mostly Crystal Sea's dry rock, in their main display. To me, it looks like it is cycling incredibly clean. Unfortunately, this is a subjective call. It really is best you check out their cycling rock yourself, talk them, and see Crystal's Sea's dry rock in action.

Note these are two separate vendors with separate locations.

The store is Oceanlife Aquariums. Their contact info is in the sponsor forum, likewise with Crystal Sea's info.

 

[notmyname]

Thanks for the call-out, Reefaholic and Sharath

Cathman, I am sorry but I know of no clean or simple solution to your problem... I would not put dry rock into a tank with existing rock that has problem algae. Dry rock has no algae of its own, so whatever is most aggressive algae-wise is likely to win out. You can try it, but personally it would make me nervous. The dry rock would likely eventually inherit the issues already present in your existing rock.

Quick note: come up with a nutrient export plan to avoid this issue in the future. This is one saltwater fundamental that is finally gaining ground in the hobby and should be as much a part of your tank planning as flow and lighting... And no skimming is not enough

To the problem at hand: the bubble algae is taking over because the rock is leaching out phosphates and nitrates, providing a continuous food source for the algae. In the wild, nutrients tend to be scarce. Bubble algae has simply evolved to monopolize nutrient sources by filling every hole and crevice so any nutrients released by the rock goes solely to the bubble algae. Genius, and it doesn't even have a brain!

The problem for aquarists is that in a closed system, nutrients are terribly plentiful and difficult to export. Your rock and substrate act as a "nutrient sink"... I.e., think of the dirty sponge at the bottom of your kitchen sink after doing the dishes. It has managed to soak up all the nasty oils, and to clean it, you flush it with fresh water, squeeze it out, flush it again. Your rock works the same way and because you can't squeeze it, flushing and soaking are your methods. Yes this means killing off your rock, soaking it for a few days (not too long) several times over. Make sure at least your last soaking is with RO water and test for nitrates after 2-3 days of soaking to see where you are. Still got 'em? Rinse and repeat...

You could perform regular, very large water changes, but this is messy and expensive and would take a long time... It also does not account for new nutrients being introduced from fish feeding and the like.

I know this is precisely what you wanted to avoid in the first place... Sorry!

This is not a pretty process, and the reason we sell dry "virgin" rock only.

You don't have to believe me. If you really want to add more rock, and retain the rock you have now, start out with just a few pieces for a couple of months to see how it goes... Slow and steady wins the race, as usual!

This hobby can be like watching an iceberg melt... Without time lapse footage

Good luck, sorry to be the bearer of unhappy news... others' input always appreciated.

Tracy


Tracy Rhodes
Crystal Sea Texas

 

[Cathman]

Thanks for all the info above. I ended up taking all the rock out of the tank and leaving it outside this week in the nice cold weather. Hoping to kill off all the junk on it. Today I filled a container with some water and muriatic acid. Let it soak for a while and scrubbed and washed it all off. Looks nice and clean again and not a spec of algae or green bubbles that I can find now. Dipped it in another bath of water after that and poured in some baking soda to make sure I neutralized anything acid wise within the rock. Let it soak in there for a few hours and washed once again. It is now drying.

Will be visiting both places mentioned above tomorrow hopefully. See you soon .

 

[notmyname]

Carman, thanks for stopping by the other day. I look forward to seeing your tank when it's all beautified!


Tracy Rhodes
Crystal Sea Texas

 

[Salty Sonny]

So the rocks in the main display at Nick's is from Crystal Sea ? Tonga?

 

[notmyname]

No not the Tonga I wasn't able to get any on my last order... Am working with supplier to make sure I can get it next time though. The Fiji Premium came from us


Tracy Rhodes
Crystal Sea Texas