Live Rock!

[Betta5]

When i get the live rock, should i just put it in the tank filled with salt water, sand, heater and a powerful powerhead. I think its uncured. how long should i leave it until i add fish. Its a 10 gallon (UK).

Thanks
Betta5

 

[Mr Miagi]

Yes you put the rock in to cure when you have your SG, temperature and water movement ready and correct. You know when to add fish when your water parameters are stable and good for the survival of marine fish. Buy a series of test kits from your LFS or ebay, or take a water sample to be tested to your local LFS. You will need a test of Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite at the very least.

 

[Betta5]

Will the LR die if there is no fish creating waste?

 

[Mr.September15]

Cured LR is supposed to already have some bacteria on it, thats what is used to make a fishless cycle.You should just wait for a couple of weeks and see if the params are normal. Then you can add fishies.

 

[Mr Miagi]

Will the LR die if there is no fish creating waste?

Nope, it should be fine. You can start to feed it a bit of dried food. That way there is something breaking down in the water. You might even get to see worms and crabs come out for a meal!

 

[pleder]

IME the aerobic bacteria that live on the rock and the anaerobic bacteria that live in the rock ill die if there is no source of ammonia for them to use.

 

[SkiFletch]

Longterm they'll die from a lack of nutrients but small additions of flake or shrimp can keep them going for a while