Dead Rock

[MarineDream]

Has anyone ever had any problems with cleaned or "dead rock". They obviouslt don't add any benefits to the tank other than extra rock. Is it a bad idea to use them? or can I just stick them in the tank at any time?

[Reefscape]

no, not at all...as long as its properly scrubbed before use and not added to an already running tank...If you want to add it to a running tank, i would cure it first..not saying thats the best way to do it, but, that is how i would do it..

Niko

[Star_Rider]

doesn't dead rock eventually become..... 'live' rock...that's a benefit;)

[Reefscape]

yes, it does, but as it is dead, it will more than likely produce an ammonia source when you put it into the tank, which is why i suggest curing it before use..not really fair on the fish to have to suffer the ammonia...

Niko

[Michael Marino]

dead rock does become live rock and you still put inverts on them you know. Also you can stack up your live rock and use the "dead" as a base.

[Reefscape]

you use the dead rock as base rock yes, if the tank is not already running...

Niko

[Germanman]

in addition to all that make sure the rock is in fact dead...old live rock you don wana be adding lime stone of some other type of rock.

[MarineDream]

Well i'm only in my second week of cycling, so I would imagen it would be ok if I put it in right now? If it turns into LR how long would it take to do that or does it throw off the cycle? The guy at the LFS said it's just live rock that was dried out and cleaned. And it seems much more affordable.

[musho3210]

ouch, live rock dried out and cleaned?? What a waste, taken from reef systems encrusted with life, then dried out, i wouldnt support that

[MarineDream]

I'm assuming dead rock is just that... dead. Might of been dead before it was harvested? I don't think anyone would take live rock and dry it out and kill it, that would be a waste. I hear that 10% of a wild coral bed can die when a bad storm/hurricane travels over them? I'm not sure.

[NapoliNewJersey]

I was given about 40 pounds of old live rock that had been sitting in a garage for over a year. This became dead rock/base rock, its the same thing, i think. Anyway, I boiled each piece for 10 minutes and then added them with about 30 pounds of live rock. My base rock is just as good as my live rock now with little but good enough life growing everyday. Hope that helps.

[VickyH]

I used 'dead' rock too that had been in a marine tank, taken out and left in freshwater and then left to almost dry out. I have to say though I did start my tank with this and as said before I boiled it first. My tank has been up and running now for about a month and have small amount of live rock in there too but one piece of the 'dead' rock is showing some signs of life.