Live Rock Arrived Today ... Yea !

[JaynToni]

Hello All !!!

I received my shipment of LR today and overall was satisified. It smelled fresh, had plenty of purple, orange, green algae growth, and had an overall pleasing appearance.

However, even though I placed two separate orders of Fiji "Nano" rock of 11 lbs each order (22 lbs total), what I received was 3 giant rocks. One rock is probably 12 lbs by itself and the other two probably 6 lbs each. When they said "nano" rock, this isn't what I expected!! Guess I could make a table!!!

Question is, can Fiji rock be easily split to smaller pieces without making them into rubble? If so, how does one go about doing that cleanly? I was thinking of knocking the big rock down to 3 or 4 separate pieces and the smaller rocks to two pieces each. I am using the rock to cycle my tank and would like to do the destruction before the rock settles too far into the cycle.

I apologize but I edited this post as I originally tried to post pics and I can't get them to post correctly. Computers are a wonderful thing unless you are like me and have no idea what you're doing!!

 

[Aquascaper]

Couldn't see the pics but the way i've broken live rock before is simple.........use a hammer

You'll find, due to the porous nature, the rock will just crumble and squash if you try using a wedge or chisel and even when you manage to break it it forms un-natural lines and looks weird.
The best way is to hold the rock in one hand and hit it with the hammer held in the other. This way the rock will shatter across natural fault lines within it which gives an overall nicer end finish I've found.

 

[JaynToni]

Thanks Aquascaper for the quick reply and advice!! I took it and went to smashing. I am quite pleased with what I came out with although I obiously have more rubble now. I am debating whether to spread it around on the substrate or just toss it. Don't think I want to put it in one of the compartments in the back due to the horror stories I've heard of trying to keep it clean back there. Rubble around the substrate may make the substrate hard to clean as well....just have to see.

If I can ever figure out how to post pictures, I'll get some out there for people to see. I posted pics once but the same thing I did that day didn't work today so I am confused. Again, thank you for your guidance for us newbies! JNT

 

[SkiFletch]

If you're savvy enough, try using the photobucket.com website... I host all my pictures there. Its free and pretty easy

 

[@ombomb]

I am debating whether to spread it around on the substrate or just toss it.

Do you have a filter / sump?

If so, stick it in there.

If not, send it to me!

 

[Aquascaper]

I am debating whether to spread it around on the substrate or just toss it.

Don't chuck it

Don't think I want to put it in one of the compartments in the back due to the horror stories I've heard of trying to keep it clean back there.

What stories? Live rock doesn't need cleaning so if you can fill a compartment with the rubble go for it. The small pieces have massive surface areas for the bacteria and will do wonders for your filtration. If all else fails just fill in the gaps in the tank with it or chuck it behind the main rockwork.