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DIY live rock seeding?

Started by LEROY, July 07, 2009, 08:31:19 AM

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LEROY

Hey I was wondering if anyone could inform me on the length of time it takes to seed DIY live rock? How long does it generally take for the DIY rock to become "live"? Could I put say 10lbs of indo premium and 45lbs of DIY and some purple up for coraline growth to speed up the process? I have never worked with the DIY rock so I'm just wondering about a time frame, any info would be appreciated.
-Thanks, Steve.

LEROY

Alright never mind, apparently I can buy this rock pre-cured. Sorry should have done some research first.

RoninMantis

takes about 3 months to seed then u should see it start to purple up... marine tropic would be better to dosse with....

Hookup

Realize that the "purple stuff" is not a bilological filtration component.. it's simply an encrusting coral/algae that we generally find "pretty" to look at.  It consumes Ca and Mg, espicially Mg.. but it does not partcipate in the nitrogen cycle...

I realize you are now buying pre-seeded DIY rock, however...

Speed of "seeding" will be dependant on the ramp-up of bio-load you put into the tank.  With the live-rock method, you are building up a filter.  In your case, your starting with 10lbs of pre-seeded, and cured (I assume) rock.  Let's say for argument sake, you can put a pair of clown-fish in the tank to match the bio-load consuming ability of the 10lbs to the output of the two fish... over time, the biological filtering properties (micro-organisims) will "infest" your tank on all surfaces... on the rocks, the DIY rocks, they will cover it... but without enough food supply (bio-load) they will not thrive....

I guess it's like a steping system... get some seeded rock, then add some bio-load... wait for things to settle... then add a bit more load, which will increase the filtering capactity to match in some time (a few weeks or so)... then add more bio-load and repeat...

by ratching up the load slowly, over time, the supply of waste-material (food for the filter) increases to the point where the bio-filtering organisims can up-scale to match the load.... You'll know when you are "over the limit" because you're readings will show the nutrient load.. (Phosphate/Nitrate)

Think of this scenario.. you buy 100lbs of "seeded and cured" LR.  Put it into a 100gallon tank with two clownfish, enjoy watching the fish for a full year... Then you add 6 chromis, 3 wrasse, 2 tangs over aperiod of 3 weeks (after the 1 year mark)... what do youthink will happen? 

lost_at_sea

Quote from: Hookup on July 07, 2009, 10:24:55 AM

Think of this scenario.. you buy 100lbs of "seeded and cured" LR.  Put it into a 100gallon tank with two clownfish, enjoy watching the fish for a full year... Then you add 6 chromis, 3 wrasse, 2 tangs over aperiod of 3 weeks (after the 1 year mark)... what do youthink will happen? 

What is you'll have to clean out the tank like this alex!