Base rock

[mmkeeper]

I am planning on using some base rock to increase the amount of live rock I have as I switch from a 46 to 70 gallon tank. My 46 is 2 1/2 year old. Live rock is in great shape. i am planning on soaking the base rock in ro/di for a couple of days then using a pressure washer to clean any loose stuff, is that enouch prep work for this rock?

 

[returnofsid]

I don't know if I'd do either of those steps. Both of those things will kill anything on it. Then when you put it in your tank, you'll have all that dying matter on it. Pressure washing it will get some of it off but not all. Is there a specific reason you're killing it off first? What kind of shape is it in right now? If it's cured, I'd put it directly into the tank with your existing live rock. Otherwise, I'd cure it before adding it. This will reduce the chances of ammonia, nitrite or nitrate issues caused by decaying matter in your tank. If you're putting this in with established live rock, you want to avoid a large cycle if possible since any ammonia spikes could kill off your established live rock. Moving from one tank to another will usually cause a mini-cycle but your existing live rock should be able to handle that alright.

 

[mmkeeper]

This is not in anyway live rock. It is dry sun baked. I don't want to cure and cycle live rock. I any cleaning this and putting in the back and bottom as a base for my live rock, to increase the volume of rock.

 

[Jobiwan]

I've used base rock, what you propose will be fine, some might say overkill (tap water would be OK), but I think you are right to soak it first to loosen any dry organics, I might check the soaking vat for ammonia when you are ready to rinse, if there is more than a trace you should probably hose it off and then soak it some more in a new batch of tap water...Lather, rinse, repeat

 

[Reefergeorge]

When I did this. I just rinsed the base rock with a hose and scrubbed off anything loose. So yes that should be fine.

 

[mmkeeper]

Thanks, for the answers.

 

[returnofsid]

Ahhh I see. I was under the impression it may have had some life on it. In that case, the steps you're taking would be more than adequate!! As was mentioned above, probably over kill but better safe than sorry. Should shortly become live rock and a great addition to your tank!!

 

[OmarD]

Some rock can adversly affect PH and also release silicates. Need to know exactly what you are putting in there.

At least put in bucket of water, test PH, leave overnight and test again.

Don't know how you test for silicates - ...but stuff I used once upon a time was from a fresh running stream, so it was pretty safe.

 

[Frankie]

I would soak it in a fresh batch of salt water to help drive out any bugs or spiders that might have decided to reside in the rock. Fresh water won't bother bugs as much as salt. I would stay away from tap and use the ro/di like you said in the begging also if not going to use salt water.

 

[JoshF]

All the above suggestions are great! If you wanted to jump start the base rock even more, if you have time, do all of the above steps to clean the rock. Then you can put your base rock in a tub with water from your tank (do a big waterchange) and let it get colonized with the bacteria. There will be enough nutrients in the water to feed the bacteria, or you can even put the rock through a bit of a cycle with a small piece of shrimp. This way you have more filtering capacity when you start your larger tank. This is important because I don't know anybody who starts a bigger tank and doesn't add more corals and fish. This will keep you from having more of a cycle IN the tank. Since this will be base rock, it will be harder to clean in the tank underneath all the other stuff. Diatoms and algae are really easy to get to in a tub.

Josh