Aquacultured LR

[stellablu]

I'm about to switch out my "beach" rock for some aquacultured live rock. My question is...I have been told that this particular rock produces insane amounts of phosphates.

I am adding a new protein skimmer, along with my cleaner crew. What else can I do to prepare myself for the possible onset of insane algae growth? Also, I already have fish in the tank and I've decided to go reef...am I going to lose fish if the ammonia levels leap because of live rock die-off? I've never set-up live rock in an established tank so I'm not sure what surprises to look out for, particularly with aquacultured rock.

Any tips?

 

[J-Money]

is the LR going to be cured already? Is it going to be shipped to you. If it's already cured, and not out of any tanks long i doubt there will be much die off. If it is uncured or you are having it shipped you will have to cure it, otherwise the die off could kill things in your tank.

What exactly is "beach" LR? Rocks you picked up off the beach? How long have you had them in the tank already, and how long has the tank been set up? I don't know why any type of LR would create more phosphates than another. Other than if one maybe wasn't as porous... Do you know which kind you are getting, Tonga, Figi, etc?



Good luck

 

[stellablu]

I'm ordering the rock from tampabaysaltwater.com but I will be picking it up rather than having it shipped. It will be out of water for perhaps three hours once I pick it up.

Here is a shot of the type of rock I have.

I collected it from the beach months before I set it in my tank. When I brought it home I scrubbed the rocks with hot water and took a jet spray to it to wash out anything in the holes. I haven't had any problems with it in the year they've been in my tanks. I just want to change to store bought live rock because I want plant life. It's a shame because I truly love the holes and caves these rocks have.

I didn't think there would be a big deal between live rocks and phosphates either that's why I'm here asking because my LFS (albeit, they're all a bit crazy) warned me that aquacultured rock can be a hassle compared to the LFS's Fiji. I'm not sure what kind of rock it is...it says Gulf Coast or Keys..Tampa Bay Saltwater Perhaps you can tell?

 

[J-Money]

I believe the keys LR is from florida, and the Gulf LR could be from Mexico.
http/www.tampabaysaltwater.com/doclbs.html

Seed Rock Which Was Placed In The Gulf Of Mexico In July Of 1994

That can help you know what type of life to expect to come with the rocks. Your LFS could have just been tryin' to get you to pay the $8+/lb versus cheaper internet prices... I've only heard good things about the TampaBay saltwater people so don't worry there lol. I don't know personally as I went with LiveAquaria to get mine. Since you like what you have have you thought of just adding to your current LR. Maybe you can get some of the coraline growth to spread.

you are gonna have to talk to navarre, or someone more in the know than me, about the length of time the LR is out of circulation. 3 Hours doesn't sound bad to me....but I don't know sorry

It's good to hear that you didn't have any problems with the LR you collected, good luck

 

[3fsh]

There might be some die off... but three hours is much better than the insane amount of time that most LR is left out of the water! I wouldn't put it directly in with your fish, just to be sure. You could put it in a bucket full of saltwater with an airstone or a powerhead for a day or so and monitor the water parameters to make sure it isn't producing any ammonia.

Perhaps the phosphates are from farm drain-off into the ocean from streams and rivers...? I've never heard of that before. I do know, however, that the rock you have has most likely turned into live rock while it was in your tank! Live rock is basically just porous rock that has had benificial bacteria grow on it. I would not take out the rock you have already... consider it free LR! If you want plant life, you can buy some macro-algae and set it on your LR. It will actually attach itself to it and grow on it (if you have the right lighting)!

 

[stellablu]

That rock is sort of made up of broken shell bits and pieces, I believe. I didn't think I would get any growth out of it. Regardless I'll still use it in another tank one day

I'm upgrading from my dinky 50/50 to Coralife 2-65 watt (65 watt 10,000K and 65 watt True Actinic 03 Blue) with 2 Lunar. Should be enough, ay?

 

[Navarre]

Aquacultured??
Is this man-made liverock?

Basically it doesnt matter either way.. If its true live rock then its designed by nature to be the best filter you can get... if its man-made then Im happy to say that its the americans who appear to lead the way in its development at this moment. I have seen pictures of liverock and matured man-made next to each other and i could not tell the difference.

Increasing phosphates??? Isuppose it "might" happen.. ihave a nitrate/phosphate spike on my reefbones but highphosphates wont kill fish.. sure, your corals might feel uneasy and you will algae blooms but its not the end of the world and it is treatable.

Dot listento the "crazy" people at your lfs Listen to us.. we are just as crazy but at least we can make our crazness seem more logical

 

[Great Lakes]

Tampa bay has much respect for the quality of their live rock. I have heard the diversity on it is incredible.
If you are picking it up yourself, just make sure it remains in water, and you can place it directly in your tank upon arrival home.

I don't see why there should be a phosphate problem, nor would I expect one.

You are making however, a huge biological change in your system all at once. This could have some impact on your livestock at first, as would any change in conditions. But it is nearly unavoidable.

I would go for it. Run some carbon for a few days just to be on the safe side.
Then watch all the neat stuff grow!



GL

 

[TBLightningFan]

I do know the answer to the phosphate thing. You have to be careful here at the at some of the LFS if you are buying any gulf rock. TB Saltwater is awesome because they have their rock pretty far out from the coast. I have never heard anything bad about their rock. Nothing but good things so I know you will enjoy it!!! I wouldnt worry about a phosphate problem with their rock at all

The Bad
Florida has lots and lots of Phosphate mines and most are along the west coast. Look at this article here Water Release from Fertilizer Plant. With the large amount of mining in florida, that tells me that any rock from this area could naturally have more phosphate in it than rock from fiji, etc. This is what I have been told by many in the hobby around the area. A few stores avoid selling the gulf rock because of that issue and only sell fiji LR. But keep in mind all gulf rock does not come from florida.

The Good
But the part that makes the risk worth it is the amount of life you get on gulf rock besides the massive amounts of good coralline algae. Just with my 5 pieces I got 12 clams, 2 urchins, some nice polyps, 5 sponges, 2 sea squirts, 1 star fish, 7 snails, 1 redleg hermit, a small piece of macroalgae (sargassum), some bristleworms, and lastly of course my mystery snapping guest whom I have never seen. The hitchhikers alone would have cost me $50 or more. I still find something new every few days or so.

 

[stellablu]

I know of a few people who have ordered from TBS and eventually found a tiny octo stowaway I'm prepared with a "kritter box" just in case I run into one. Otherwise I had heard nothing but excellent reviews on their rock, so I figured why am I not buying from them?

Did you order the coral rock or the normal decorator rock?

Thanks for the info! I'll update once I get the rock!!!