Buy it Dead, not alive
As I’ve been helping people setup their new tanks, I’ve been advising people to buy dead rock vs. live rock (LR) for their new setups. People have been asking me why I say “buy it dead” so I thought I’d put it out there for the general audience.
The simple answer is selection – you get to decide what critters you want in your tank and which ones you don’t. Live rock is great in that it comes covered with nitrifying bacteria -i.e. bacteria that converts ammonia (fish poop an pee) to nitrites and then to nitrates. However, it also comes with lots of stuff you might not see and you don’t get to decide if you want it or not. For example, a lot of members have gotten LR that has aptasia and even majanos anemone on it. Majanos can overrun a reef tank in literally days if not tended to quickly. Even if you remove the ones you see, there could be several more that you don’t see hidden in the LR that will eventually spawn new babies that will end up in your tank.
Then there are the bothersome creatures that you might not be able to see – zoa/montipora eating nudibranches, or even the feared Kraken worm that grow up to 4′ in length and eat corals for dinner. (Not kidding, here is a link to some pics of a guy who pulled one out of his tank). You won’t know these pests are in your tank until you start seeing corals disappear or bleaching which no reef keeper ever wants to see. These pests are even harder to get out because you can’t always see them as they are very small and some only come out at night. Or in the case of the Kraken worm, you have to tear apart your whole tank to get to them.
With dead rock, what you see is what you get – no critters, no pests. I advise people to buy the rock that’s been out in the sun for long enough that it’s bleach white. No chance of cling-ons except maybe the backyard ant (would die in your tank quickly). No nuisance algae/anemones/worms/freaky crawly things. On top of that, you get to watch your tank mature as the rock will change from white to brown/green/purple as beneficial bacteria and algae grow.
So “buy it dead” and avoid the headaches of tracking down nuisance pests in your tank.
Browse the Store! Questions?
Mark I have a question you have probably all ready answered but I have looked through and can not find this. I live the idea of starting out with dead rock and sand and adding Dr tims one and only. But how do I introduce the corraline algae into the tank?
jvf305…coraline will come in on frag plugs, coral colonies, etc. You can try seeding your tank with it by placing scrapings of coraline algae in your tank if you are really anxious.
hey mark, i want to start the curing proccess and im thight on the moeny..can i use cooking salt for it?
thanks a lot
Hey mark, its kevin here. From christmas i will be getting a coralife biocube 29 and was wondering how much dry rock will i need for it? Also i was wondering, will i need to seed it with live rock or just keep it like that?
In a refugium where do you put the bubble trap.
I have another question on this same topic. I would like to add dragon gobies so how do I introduce copepods and other beneficial little critters into tank? Will they also hitch hike on corals? And if I choose not to add corals for a while is there other alternatives? Thanks mark.
Hi Mark, I’m planning to buy 205 gallon Glass tank, which is better: tempered glass or plain glass, and what is the pros and cons for both and what is the best thickness in such tank size (L150cm, H80cm, D65cm)?
Ghassan.
I have my own salt water tank and its been running great for a long time. However a buddy is getting out of the hobby and giving me his setup. He has been neglecting his tank and the live rock and substrate is very dirty. I plan to redo the whole tank change the substrate and clean live rock and still use it. But my friend called me today and told me he looked at his 180 gallon tank and all five fish were dead and had been sitting dead probably almost a whole day. I still plan to redo the whole tank.However is the live rock tainted from the dead fish or is it fine to keep and reuse in new set up. Also if its ok what’s the best way to keep it while i set up.
Hi just reading about dry live rock.do u know where in uk i can buy this
Mark,
First off I enjoy watching you videos. My question is I am restarting my tank due to rookie mistakes, like bryposis. I am going to tear down the tank and bleach the rocks, but the byrposis is on the back wall. Would running tap water with vinegar kill off the nuisance algaes?
Travis…vinegar would likely kill the bryposis and bleach will for sure kill it. 1/2 cup bleach per 10g will do the trick.
kat…I don’t know of specific stores in the UK where you can buy it, but if you ask for “Reef bones” then your local fish store will likely know what it is about
Patrick…the rock might have absorbed some nutrients from the neglect, so if you want to re-use this rock, I would “re-cure” it for lack of a better term by placing it containers (like new garbage cans) and leaving it for several weeks. Keep the temp 77-79, the salinity stable and put a power head in there to circulate the water
Hello mark question? Where do you purchase your dry rock?
Is dry rock the same as dead rock? It sounds like I can identify dead rock by it being “bleach white”. Is this correct?
dry rock and dead rock is the same thing, yes
Hey Mark where do I get dead sand at?
Gary…any local fish store or online retailer will have it. It’s very easy to find
Mark,
Thank you for your helpful contributions to the net. What software do you use to make your videos? They look really well done. Thanks in advance for your response!
Chris…I edit on Final Cut Pro
I have a 20g saltwater and I just bought some live rock a few days ago and that night two of my fish died, so I had my water tested and everything was great now today the rest of my fish are paralyzed and dying all water test still great. So I turned the tank light on to check on the few that are left and noticed a worm not sure what it looked he was fast to go back in the rock I took the rock out of my tank. What kind of worm would kill all my fish?
I am setting new marine tank Is it safe to keep dead rocks along with artificial rocks…??? Does it will harm the water and other creatures in future…???
mrinal…it depends on what type of artificial rocks you are talking about. You’ll want to get artificial rock that is made for a saltwater tank like Real Reef’s artificial rock. Other types of artificial rock can leach substances into your tank and/or not be well suited for biological filtration.
how do i know what pods to add. my lfs told me there are tons of different critters on live rock and you just to have it. so if i dont use live rock how can i get all the critters i need?
Sam…you don’t “have” to have these critters. Your tank will do fine with out them. And if you want to add them, bombing your tank with copepods and amphipods will do the trick.
Thanks! I just broke down my african cichlid tank to set up a reef and i have 40 lbs. of dry rock that worked great with the cichlids and now will save me so much money of my new aqaurium.
Hello Mark, what if I take the rocks out, then wash them and put them at sunlight for two or three days, it is not the same as dead rock, ? every living thing is not going to die ? and then return them to the tank ?
Jose…everything will die and you’ll have a bunch of organic material that will decompose in your tank. The decomposing matter can cause ammonia issues and phosphate issues. You’d be best to let it dry out, then soak it in RODI water for a couple of weeks to pull the organic material out of the rocks.
Will not having a skimmer cause any adverse effects on my tank that is newly cycling with live rocks?
If you are starting your tank with uncured live rock then there will likely be a lot of organic die off. A skimmer will help remove these organics so if you want to use live rock to start your tank, I’d definitely recommend a skimmer
I bought dead rock at LFS but has some remnants of green algae and a fine green grass. What is the best way to clean it and prep it for a marine tank. My first tank so don’t want to mess up
Elizabeth…I’d scrub it off with a stiff brush. The grass/algae will decay in your tank and could cause nutrient issues
Hey mark,
Ive seen your videos of setting up tanks and the dead rock that you have is very purple. Ive been looking online and ive found some but they are all white or baige. I would really like to know where you get your rock, thanks.
I want to add dryrock to a already established tank should I soak it in vinegar? And if so how much.?
Roy…If you have time to soak and cure the rock outside of your tank, I’d do it. I recommend soaking it in RODI water for 2 weeks with 100% water changes every 2-3 days.
On Wednesday, May 1, 2013 I ordered the pdf version of No-Nonsense Guide to Preventing and Curing Nuisance Algae Outbreaks from your web site. As of this date I have not received the pdf file. I have added your info contact info to my email address files and I have watched my spam folder/s for same. This is my sixth attempt to contact you regarding my order since May 1. Can you help me get the pdf file? If not I will have to cancel my order via my credit card company. I am hoping your information regarding nuisance algae will help me restore my tank to what it was. I have a 125 gal. marine/reef tank which has been no serious problem for more than fourteen years, until now. Looking forward to your prompt reply.
Thank you,
Adam12
Adam12…I’ve sent you 2 emails regarding your purchase so please check your SPAM/JUNK folder as sometimes the emails land there.
Mr. Saltwater, I recently set up my tank, and have just added some chromis along with bio spira to kickstart the nitrogen cycle so far so good no major spikes yet. I starteted my 32 gallon tank with dry rock and am curious to know when I should add a cleanup crew… Should I wait a month, week, or until I have a visual of algae growth.
Mark,
What are your thoughts for using pool filter sand as a substrate for a reef tank?
Adam W…I’d stick to aragonite for a reef tank as it will have higher calcium levels and other elements that your tank will need.
Mark I saw this video on Advanced Aquarist about setting up a reef tank and they were using a patio block with a fiberglass rod drilled into the center of the patio block to help hold the live rock in place. Is it safe to have a patio block in your tank?
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/mike-paletta-on-starting-a-reef-tank-the-led-experiment-part-i
Thanks
Ed
Can you please tell me where you buy your dry rock? It’s very purple and I love it, please please let me know. Thanks mark
Mark, I’ve had a 30 gallon saltwater tank for about a year now which is doing great. I just got a 120 gallon tank which is ready for my fish and rock, but I’ve noticed that I’m getting some aptasia on one of my rocks and some in the sand in the 30 gallon and I don’t want to put it in the new tank. Is this going to be a problem or will it just show up in the 120 eventually? Any suggestions?
i wana start my 125 galon tank , i wana use 100 kg dead and 50 kg live for seeding the dead rock. what do you think is it good idea? should i do like this or not? this is my first time i want to exprince aquariom and i need guide more than any body?
does it possible dead rock become live?
thanks a lot ♥
I bought a salt water tank from someone and I’m got these coral or coral reef in not sure with it but they have been sitting dry for about 2 years he said so is it still okay to put in the tank??
Heather…I’d soak the rock in RODI water for a couple of weeks, then pre-cure the rock either in a holding container, or the in tank. That will make sure any phosphates or other junk in the rock gets out before it gets in your tank.
Hi Mark,
Is it beneficial to set up a deep sand bed when starting off with dry rock?
Matt..I’m not a deep sand bed fan and a deep sand bed won’t do anything to help new dry rock.
well i wanted to ask u ..that i bought a 55 gallon tank and live sand and its been a week that i put and set up everything up and now till this day its cloudy .. what should i do and put in my tank so i can start adding rocks and stuff and the fishes …..
Hi Mark
Ive taken your advice for my Aquamedic 120. I dont want to add in anything I dont know about :-). Its a new tank so Im using approx 50kg of dry reef bones. Ive cleaned, bleached (mildly) and cycled for 6 weeks in the tank using the onboard filters and skimmer using decolorinated tap water at temp with added coral sand and the amonia was zero. Ive now removed all the water, filled it with RO, salted up to SG 1.025 at a temp of 25 degrees and purchased my bottle of Mr tims. What do I do next…. just add the Mr Tims and wait or have I missed something?