Liverock spreading
- Thread starter K-Dubbs
- Start date
Which part? The bacteria will begin establishing themselves as long as there is a food source. Algaes come next, with stony tube worms falling somewhere between soft algaes and coralline algaes, IME. Other critters--mobile ones like pods and worms and stars--will begin moving in immediately.
However--"how long does it take for dry base rock to look like good live rock" is a different question. A minimum of 6 months, but up to a few years, depending on conditions and space.
However--"how long does it take for dry base rock to look like good live rock" is a different question. A minimum of 6 months, but up to a few years, depending on conditions and space.
I am not sure at what point someone would consider dead rock as live rock and I dont know if there is such a thing as a real definition of what all is needed to be considered "Live Rock." What are you more interested in? The look of the rock? Bacteria to help with the Nitrogen cycle? Lots of little critters? This will all take varying amounts of time depending on what you consider "Live Rock". Some of the life on the other rock will spread over very quickly (bacteria) and other things may take many months (coraline, plants, feather dusters, etc...) Just wanting the rock to be covered in bacteria will take alot less time than wanting the rock covered in coraline algae. Just my $0.02 and hate to answer your questions with such a generic comment, but these are my thoughts...
Rick
Rick
My tank has been up since late June and I just started getting a lot of nice coralline growth on the base rock in the past two weeks. This, of course, was helped by calcium additions.