Live Rock

[pluff]

I got about 110# of live rock.Now my ? is : I was thinking about tearing down my 90 tank,and starting over,but not sure when.I was wondering if i do tear it down,how long will it take for the live rock to become live again if i set it up again,or will it?

Thanks

Pluff:cheers:

[IJO]

Live rock is made up of bacteria and organisms that feed on debris in the water and help filter it. I'm pretty sure everything on the rock will die if you keep it out of the water for a long period of time.

If you throw these rocks back into a tank nothing will happen unless you have other pieces of liverock to seed your now dead rock. Essentially your going to turn your rock into base rock. I would recommend selling your rock if your going to tear down your setup IMO. Hope this helps

IJO

[ajx22]

IJO is correct. If out of the water/light...the rock will cease to be "live", and would only become "live" again over time when added to an already "live" system (ie. cycled system with new live rock/sand).

Either sell the rock, or if possible...remove the rock, place it in another tank/holding vat (Canadian Tire/Zellers/Walmart...get a large plastic storage container. Zellers has them on sale now. Online Flyer link: http://www.hbc.com/zellers/eflyer/pg06.asp) Keep it lit and keep the water circulating (and do water changes, etc.). Treat this holding vat as if it were a tank. This will allow the rock to remain "live" and you will not have the loss of all the critters/bacteria on the rock. Then once your new set-up is fully cycled (ammonia spike has dropped, and your other levels are getting close to the right places) - add this rock back into your new set-up again.

These are your options...unless you can have a fellow reefer hold onto your rock for you while you get a new set-up.

HTH...

[pluff]

Thanks

AJ & IJO.

[ajx22]

No problems...! Keep us updated on the "new" tank idea.

Best wishes & Happy New Year!

Cheers :D

[Brian L]

Hey, my Brotha! I can hold it for you. But if you tear down that 90 I may have to kick your butt. It looks too good to start over!:cheers:

Brian

Oh, yea. Some say to use food grade plastic with circulation and heat to keep LR stored. My buddy kept his for some time this way. Unfortunately, mine all died off when I moved home last year. It took some time to get it back. It's just getting real good now.