Question About Live Rock

[Hebert2580]

I have about 45lbs of live Rock, My tank has been set up for about 2 months, How long does it take for stuff to start growing, and is there anything I could add to help the process. I do have the right lights and everything..

[Samper]

Your live rock in order to thrive will have to be in a system with the right water parameters and equipment. I'm not sure how much you know about the reefkeeping or where to begin. It's a very broad question. Perhaps we should start with you describing your system in detail and all water parameters.

[Hebert2580]

My temp Is about 77-79.. Im not sure of what my calcium levels are, I have no nitrates, nitrites or ammonia in my tank, Hmm what else do you need to know?

[scubadude]

Hi Hebert
Welcome to Reefland!

How bout fish or corals in your system? How big is your tank (gallons)? Do you feed your tank? Do you have a protein skimmer? Biowheel? As chuck stated, providing minimum information which can limit our reply back to you. Do you replace your evaporated water? What is your SG? How long is your photoperiod? Where did you get your live rock from? Was there anything alive on it when you bought it? Got any pictures of your system?

[Hebert2580]

I have No Corals In my tank, I only have fish, ( My aquarium log has the list of fish and inverts I have) I have a 55 gal tank, Bio Wheel, 1 powerhead and Im getting ready to add another, No protein skimmer yet my Im looking for a good hang on type for around $100.. I do replace my evaporated water everyday. I have no clue what SG stands for so I cant answer that the right now.. There where some things on my live rock, I do have some purple here and there and it looks to have some small plants or something growing on some peices.. I will have pics up tonight... As far as feeding my tank, Well to be honest what does that mean. ( I do monthy water changes).. Thanks

[Samper]

SG is specific gravity and it is best measured with a calibrated ATC refractometer. The swing arm hydrometers are notorious for giving inaccurate readings. It is recommended for a reef tank to have a reading of 1.025-1.026. I run 1.026. Scubadude wanted to know how often you feed your tank and with what and how much you feed when you do. The purple on your rock is most likely corraline algae and you will have to keep the proper Calcium and Alk levels as well as Ph, temp and lighting for it to thrive. Getting all this in check will help you when you decide to move into corals down the road....if you want. It is good that you don't have them yet. Wait until you figure out all this stuff before you attempt it. Do you have an RO/DI water filtration system? And when you say the proper lighting exactly what kind are you running and how long do they stay on? Get you a coralife superskimmer and get rid of the biowheel when you do. The price on those skimmers is great and they do work. Also you may want more flow at some point and it will help you keep a healthy system. Also you may want to research sump systems. One will help you hide some equipment like the skimmer and heater and you can get more flow in your display via the return pump. You can also incorporate a refugium into the sump...I'd recommend a gravity fed one seperate from the sump but plenty of people still run sump/fuge combos.

[Hebert2580]

Thanks, Well My SG is also around 1.026, and my calcium level is about 500, But I think it may be to high, Im not really sure, I do plan on getting corals but like you said not anytime soon. The lights I have are the Coralife aqualight double compact fluorescent strip lights (Includes a 34" 96 watt
Actinic & a 34" 96 watt 10000k bulb) and I also have been looking at the coralife protien skimmer! I didnt know I can take out my bio wheel filter when I get it tho, Why is that? Thanks for your Help...

[Samper]

Biowheels are notorious for seizing up under high calcium loads and then they don't function like they're meant to. Your rock and every surface of your tank and equipment is covered with the beneficial bacteria that you need. When they came out I believe they improved conditions in saltwater tanks but today the technology is outdated and I'm not the one to explain how one works since I've never ran one. I'd venture to say that noone here who is serious about their system has one in operation.....maybe on a qt tank. When you get a skimmer go ahead and remove the biowheel. Your Calcium level shouldn't be 500 unless you got some salt that I don't know about or have been using a 2 part. Most people run 450 ppm but they use a reactor or additives to get it to that level. My IO salts never mix up more than 340 ppm for Ca and I rely on a reactor and limewater drips to get it and keep it at 450.

[Samper]

a quick search brought up these results.
Advice with my biowheel
Eclipse Biowheel in reef/fish

One of those threads is from 2001 so it's old but it's hard to find info on them because most people don't use em.

[Hebert2580]

ok, i have a extra 20 gal tank, could i make that into a sump. by the way thanks for the help..

[Samper]

That's what we're here for. I've made a ton of mistakes and don't want you to go through them.

[rjs5134]

Yes you can make it into a sump, or a quarantine tank which most serious hobbyists use. I won't add another thing to my tank without QT first. Do a search for either and you will find plenty of info.