Just received my live rock!

[ReefRaff]

I just got my live rock from tampabay saltwater, and it some pretty nice stuff I got 30 Lbs wet base rock for 2.50 a pound. Also 20 Lbs of decorator rock for 4.00 a Pound. I stacked the base rock and the the decor on top. Compared to any LFS Iv'e been around here, there is soo much stuff on this rock, I don't even know what most of it is. I know some of it will die off, but there is allot of stuff big and Little. I'm currently waiting on the digicam to get home, as soon as it does I will take some pictures. I need an Id on some Orange stuff that feels gummy and covers one rock like a blanket. Lots of little crabs. They look brown with almost un-noticable white pin stripes. So give me some time and I'll get those pics over as soon as possible.

[reefrunner69]

The orange stuff sounds like a sponge. Congratsd on your LR. Make sure you take some pics and post them, especially of the wet base rock, always curious how it would look.

[ReefRaff]

Ok here are some pics. I had to list them off server, because I forgot to knock the size down. Fishfreek, If you could reduce the size, so I can put them in the photogallery, I would apreciate it just send them back to wagnertim2000@yahoo.com it is a 10 meg box.

here is the pics-----> http://68.21.254.251/50G/

Kevin, the rock with the snail on it is some of the base rock. also some of the pics I was trying to get a pic of what looks like curly Q anemone, but it's hard to see (no macro)

what,s the bubble stuff?

[ReefRaff]

Now adding sand, it's a whiteout

[ReefRaff]

Do I need to or can I run my powerheads and filter, after all the sand is in?

[reefrunner69]

I would turn them on. The curing LR needs the waterflow. The water movement will also lessen the amount that settles on the LR.

[BrianH]

The orange stuff is definately sponges.

Brian

[alrmc4]

wow how can my lfs call their rock live it is nothing like that looks wonderful congrats!!!

[ReefRaff]

how does it look now? "Day-0" today!

Ps. I reduced the resolution this time.

[ReefRaff]

Forgot to ask. Can/should I add the 2 lbs live sand now? or wait. currantly I keeping it warm in my other aquarium, by floating the bag.

[cal91666]

IMO I would go ahead and add it now so the bacteria that is alive in the sand will have some ammonia from the LR as it cures to feed on and start multiplying.

Great stuff, I am going to take a drive over there to see what I can get hand picked. I am excited now...

[ReefRaff]

Morning of day one: You can see from my earlier post's that the mud storm is starting to clear. The light pennitrates much further now.

[ReefRaff]

Now you can see the tanks getting a little brighter. still can't see my rocks yet. hard to belive there is fifty lbs in there.

I got my HOB going with the filter pads wrapped in paper towels. I also have a rio pump going with a 180 micron mesh bag, with the inside lined again with paper towels. I can tell already this will take longer than I expected.

[reefrunner69]

Well, if it were me, I would remove the filters and just use the flow. The filters are doing the same thing as rinsing the sand. It may take a week or two, but it will settle down and your sandbed will have the potential for a much wider diversity of critters than if the "dust/silt" is removed with filters.

I didn't comment before. but the rock looks great!! As long as we are getting aquacultured rock like that, I see no reason for harvesting "real" LR from the reefs

[ReefRaff]

Well here is a couple of pics of my tank today. Don't worry Kevin, there is still plenty of silt in the sand bed. if I stir it up, I'll have a white box again.