Live Rock - Aquarium Advice

blackhorse · 06-06-2007, 02:02 AM

I'm just starting out with my first tank ever. Wondering if someone could
explain the benefits to having live rock. Is it a necessity to have live rock? Something we could add down the road? Were thinking about maybe taking it slow. Right now we are cycling with raw shrimp. After thats completed, maybe get 1-3 clown fish. BTW we do have live sand in there now.

tecwzrd · 06-06-2007, 09:25 AM

The The Berlin Method of filtration article covers it.

Mostly just think of the lr as an in tank filter which your bacterial colony resides in. With proper water movement (15-20 times tank volume) it pushes the water through the lr filtering out the nh3/no2 and once mature even no3.

Main advantage is since it's in the tank and not external i.e. sump/canister/ect... a good clean up crew (snails/hermits/sea stars/ect...) can keep the lr clean thus reducing your maintenance and enjoy the tank more.

Other advantage is lr typically comes with tons of other live hitchhikers that are usually beneficial.

**Devilishturtles** · 06-06-2007, 10:56 AM

I agree. Liverock is something I would add before you got any livestock. And it's generally best to add it all at once. If money is an issue you can mix base rock and live rock together.

**roka64** · 06-06-2007, 11:12 AM

I agree with the others. LR will also allow for fish to set up their territories and give them a place to hide, sleep and feel safe.

**melosu58** · 06-06-2007, 10:15 PM

LR is the way to go. Read this to see the benefits.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/dw/index.php

blackhorse · 06-07-2007, 10:26 PM

If I buy the live rock now or after the cycling has taken place will it still be ok? I'm on day 2 or 3 of cycling with shrimp. My ppm of ammonia is now at 1.

**melosu58** · 06-07-2007, 11:09 PM

If you do it after the cycle then you`ll need to cure the LR first or you`ll have another cycle.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/articl...aq=2&fldAuto=6

blackhorse · 06-08-2007, 03:04 AM

I have one piece of "brain coral(?)" in there now. Doesn't this work sort of like the live rock? Can I buy both live and base rock now and put in with the coral I have?

Also, curing the live rock sounds complicated to me. What happens if I put the live rock in there 1 week into the cycle? Will I have to change all the water and start over? How will this affect the cycle process? We plan to start off slowly, maybe 1-2 clowns for awhile after the cycle is completed.

**melosu58** · 06-08-2007, 08:19 AM

No you`ll be OK with putting the LR in one week in. It might prolong your cycle about a week. One thing for sure the brain coral needs to come out. It will most likely not survive. Ask your LFS to hold it till the cycle is done. The ammonia and nitrites during the cycle will be lethal to the brain coral. There needs to be no livestock in during the cycle.

**roka64** · 06-08-2007, 10:14 AM

Are you saying you have a live brain coral in your tank? If so, it might not make it through the cycle. You can cycle your tank with both base and LR.

06-06-2007, 02:02 AM	#1
blackhorse Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 48	Live Rock I'm just starting out with my first tank ever. Wondering if someone could explain the benefits to having live rock. Is it a necessity to have live rock? Something we could add down the road? Were thinking about maybe taking it slow. Right now we are cycling with raw shrimp. After thats completed, maybe get 1-3 clown fish. BTW we do have live sand in there now.

06-06-2007, 09:25 AM	#2
tecwzrd Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: VA Posts: 3,152	The The Berlin Method of filtration article covers it. Mostly just think of the lr as an in tank filter which your bacterial colony resides in. With proper water movement (15-20 times tank volume) it pushes the water through the lr filtering out the nh3/no2 and once mature even no3. Main advantage is since it's in the tank and not external i.e. sump/canister/ect... a good clean up crew (snails/hermits/sea stars/ect...) can keep the lr clean thus reducing your maintenance and enjoy the tank more. Other advantage is lr typically comes with tons of other live hitchhikers that are usually beneficial. __________________ -Micah- If you haven't figured it out yet I like to BOLD links :P Vote for AA at Aqua Rank

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06-07-2007, 10:26 PM	#6
blackhorse Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 48	If I buy the live rock now or after the cycling has taken place will it still be ok? I'm on day 2 or 3 of cycling with shrimp. My ppm of ammonia is now at 1.

06-08-2007, 03:04 AM	#8
blackhorse Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 48	I have one piece of "brain coral(?)" in there now. Doesn't this work sort of like the live rock? Can I buy both live and base rock now and put in with the coral I have? Also, curing the live rock sounds complicated to me. What happens if I put the live rock in there 1 week into the cycle? Will I have to change all the water and start over? How will this affect the cycle process? We plan to start off slowly, maybe 1-2 clowns for awhile after the cycle is completed.