please help!!!!

[evojoe67]

i have a big dilema with my 210gal reef tank. will someone please advise me, as i am getting so many conflicting pieces of "expert advice".
my tank has been up and running for about 3 months, with about 60lbs of live rock. i currently have another 90lbs of live rock, curing at my lfs, which i plan on adding to my system, at approximatly 10 or so lbs. per week.
i have a 40gallon refugium with an e.t.s.s. protien skimmer set up for approximatly 1month.
this week i added a phosband reactor 150, running through a turbo-twist 12x uv light.
currently in my tank i have, a fairey wrasse, clown tang, clown fish, 3 cardinals, bullet gobie,3 green chromises,2 cleaner wrasses,3 cleaner shrimp, 3 peppermint shrimp, assorted emerald and hermit crabs, and snails. a serpentine star, sand star, tiger conch.
i am being told that all these fish are destined to die, because my tank is not up and running long enough to sustain them. i recently lost a beautiful yellow tang.i set this tank up with the hope of it being a source of relaxation, and am under so much stress because i am afraid to lose these fish i currently have.
forgot to say i also have about 30 or so lbs. of live sand and about 20lbs. of regular sand.
i've been told that i should move all of my fish to my 29gal hospitol tank, and add my rock to the 210, and let it cycle for about 1-2mos. i realze a 29gal is small for these fish, but am being told it won't hurt them in the 1-2mos.
I would like to know:
1. If I add approximately 10lbs of uncured rock a week will it kill my fish?
2. Is my tank to new to support these fish?
3. Should I transfer the fish to my 29 gallon or can I leave them in my 210 while adding the rock?

[aquaboy]

1. i wouldnt do it. Cycle it in a tub or bucket for a month then add.
2. You should be fine with that size system
3. leave them in, just cure the rock before hand and place where desired

[Godbert]

the concern with adding lr is throwing your tank into another cycle which will kill your fish. it is my opinion that if you have another tank where you can house your fish why wouldnt you. keeping them in there is an unnecessary risk

[aquaboy]

No, that many fish just cannot survive in a 29. Keeping them in the 210 and curing rock outside of tank is safest and most reasonable approach. Then you would have to cycle the 29.........

[baugherb]

That sounds like way too many fish to be putting in a 29 even if it is only for a short period of time.....

[omard]

Originally Posted by aquaboy

No, that many fish just cannot survive in a 29. Keeping them in the 210 and curing rock outside of tank is safest and most reasonable approach. Then you would have to cycle the 29.........

Agree with all of the above. Trauma of moving that many fish to a 29 gal would certainly result in some loss.

Why not use the 29 to cure the new rock? --- you are not talking about that much at a time.

Rubbermaid tub or garbage can will work equally as well.

Just do not put uncured or partially cured rock in your 210.



Good Luck!


Keep us posted.

[evojoe67]

how much time should i allow for curing the rock? my lfs is curing it for me, and said approximately 3 weeks. do you agree? once cured, can i add all 90lbs. of the cured rock to my 210 at once?

[omard]

Originally Posted by evojoe67

how much time should i allow for curing the rock? my lfs is curing it for me, and said approximately 3 weeks. do you agree? once cured, can i add all 90lbs. of the cured rock to my 210 at once?

Keep testing LR water just like you did when cycling initial rock...Water params will let you know when fully cured.

Curing time can vary from one week to several depending on rock.

Once fully cured/cycled...you can add in all at once.

Your tank will be much "happier" once you do.

[evojoe67]

i really appreciate all the help. i'm going crazy with worry!!!!

[evojoe67]

the guy at the lfs said he can tell when live rock is full cured by smell. any truth to that?