Adding Pre-Cured Dry Rock
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Reef Chemistry
Forum Description: A place to discuss reef chemistry.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43644
Printed Date: December 15 2025 at 9:47am
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Topic: Adding Pre-Cured Dry Rock
Posted By: Ahanix
Subject: Adding Pre-Cured Dry Rock
Date Posted: September 25 2010 at 6:01pm
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So I just got my 25lbs of marco rock today, looks fantastic, but I am wondering if I should just add a piece at a time to my tank, or if I should pull one of my powerheads out of my tank and sit it in a container of either RO or salt water for a few weeks to let it cycle.
I've heard of people doing it both ways, but I wanted to make sure I don't destroy everything in my tank just by adding more rock. Thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: September 25 2010 at 6:43pm
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I would run it in a tub of SW for a couple of days then check for phosphates.
I added 1 or 2 pieces a week so I had no spikes at all ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: September 25 2010 at 10:00pm
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Awesome, thanks for the info Jeff, i'll go ahead and do that, maybe i'll just throw it in tonight and test the water on monday or tuesday
Do I need a lot of flow through the bucket, or should I just throw a 120gph hob filter on it and call it a day? |
Posted By: Luckedout
Date Posted: September 25 2010 at 11:14pm
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You don't need much flow. Chuck a little bit of LW from your tank to get it moving. I've heard good things about Marco rock so you should have too much of a cycle. I generally add new rock to my sump first so I can keep an eye on it before putting it in my display.
------------- -Ben 90g Mixed reef www.body-balancechiropractic.com |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: September 26 2010 at 11:11am
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I beg to differ. There is no need to "cycle" it in a bucket. Just place pieces of it in your system and watch what happens. I'm sure it will be fine. Years ago, people had the same concerns about Utah Rock. We've found by experience that, since this stuff is clean, sterile and completely free of anything but a little terrestrial dirt, it can be placed in an existing tank with no problems. The Live stuff in the tank will handle any pollution and life will quickly begin to populate the clean rock ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: September 26 2010 at 12:03pm
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Better to be safe than sorry! ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: September 26 2010 at 2:00pm
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But I do this all the time with Utah Rock. The LR, LS, algae and the entire biofiltration of the existing tank takes care of the new clean rock much better and faster than one piece of LR among a bunch of bare rock in a dark tub. Marco rock is just like Utah Rock; Calcium Carbonate formed in the ocean then covered in dirt for centuries. I don't mean to argue, but think about the biology of this. It's just logical. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: September 26 2010 at 2:04pm
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I just three in one piece. The rest is in a tub of saltwater with a hob filter just to clean any dust off. Ill see how this piece goes and then add one to two pieces every couple of days if my tank is looking good.
I would almost throw it all in if I wasn't worried about phosphates |
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: September 26 2010 at 2:06pm
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Marco rock has been known to have phosphate issues! That's why I did what I did. ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: September 26 2010 at 8:25pm
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I understand. So what did you do to remove the PO4? ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: September 26 2010 at 8:44pm
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I tested after 3 days and it had none! ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |