Ike killed my tank!! What to do with Live Rock.

[kickmeqt]

Okay, to make a long story short,

we had to evacuate for Hurricane Ike, we live right outside houston and we JUST got our power back this week. It had been out since the storm hit on that friday 2 weeks ago. Having said that, everything here had no power and unfortunately nothing to help us out with my tank. Both of my clowns died [ugh] and now I have nothing left except for the disgusting water [the levels were off the charts when I came home] and all the live rock inside.

My biggest question is: Can I keep this rock? Even when it's been in the tank that has had no filtration and both my fish, all my snails and the hermit crabs have died and gone to mush when we came back.

I'd HATE to get rid of it since the rock isn't cheep. We are planning on restarting the entire process again, as we had the take for a few weeks shy of a year...boo!

Any help would be awesome. my email is kickmeqt@yahoo.com
I really want to get it back up again not only for me but my 7 month old daughter who loved watching them swim around

~Meg

[Poseidon]

Hi Meg, I think your rock will be fine eventually. At this point, I would do a 100% water change, turn on all the pumps and especially the skimmer, and let the tank run for a month or 6 weeks without adding anything. It will be boring I know, but that rock will need to be "recured".

After 4 or 6 weeks, test the water for Ammonia and Nitrite.

[zhenya]

Hi Meg,

Sorry to hear about the loss of your tank...
Like Mike said already, the rock needs to be re-cured at this point. I would remove everything that had died, place rock into different tub/container if your have them. Drain the tank and clean it, then replace your rock and refill your tank. I am sure some things had survived deep inside the rock and will continue to live if you restart your tank with fresh sea water.
Good luck!

[scubadude]

I also agree w/the Gene & Mike.....Rock is way too expensive and im sure there is some life still left on your rock. Keep it

[Ninong]

Hi Meg,

Sorry to hear of your loss. Your live rock will be fine. Eventually.

I would remove everything from the tank and start over with fresh sand and the same old live rock. You could keep some of the upper layer of the sand bed if you see any valuable lifeforms in it, but I would be in favor of discarding almost all of the sand bed.

Put new sand and the same old live rock in the tank with all new saltwater. You are now cycling the tank with live rock that has a lot of dead stuff in it and on it. This process could take a good four weeks or more. Just be patient. Do not attempt to add any any fish or anything else until after your nitrates have fallen down to around 25 ppm. That could take three to six weeks.

Good luck!