Dead to live rock?

[NeuroDoc]

If one inherits a bunch of old rock, that has been out of the water for a long time, and then places it in a tank with fresh live rock, will the creatures that make live rock "live" reproduce and convert the old dead rock to live rock? If so, how long would the process take?

 

[Beckmola24]

I placed some dead rock with live stuff and my rock took a few months to become completely "live" again. It really doesn't take too long. So yes, if you put live rock with dried rock, the dried will become "live" in a few months or so. My "dried" rock doesn't look any different from the live stuff. It's really a money saver if you have one piece of live stuff

 

[dabears26]

That would be a huge $$$$$$ saver...Maybe that's what i should do for my last 50lbs needed.Just use as base rock and build my live rock around it...)...Love it...

 

[Krish]

I've done the same with my tank. I had my old rocks sitting out in the sun from about Feb-June and threw them back in when I started back up and added another 30-50lbs or so of LR with it and now all my rocks have life. I guess it would depend on the type of rock it is too (ie density etc.) to determine how long it will come to "life" But nevertheless, it definately does happen...

 

[Willy]

I used 60 pounds of base rock when I set up my tank.Hirocks

 

[snobanker]

My first rock was all dead base rock, before I knew anything about reefiing. I started to add some LR to the tank and now it's all LR..

 

[Elmo18]

I am currently starting a 20 Gallon Tall....with about 90% dead rock and one piece of live rock. The dead rock is just recured 'left out to dry live rock' that was out of the water for about a couple months. As long as the dead rock is recured first before putting it into the tank with a live rock piece, then everything will be ok.

I will wait for sometime before adding any livestock to the tank, as it does employ a sandbed

Best,
Ilham

 

[NeuroDoc]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the help.