ridding live rock of hitchhikers-Live Rock-3reef Forums

GuitarMan89 · 04-14-2008, 04:45 PM

I've been reading through a bunch of the lr posts and didn't really see a direct answer to this question, although some posts seem to touch on it. I plan on buying my lr from a lfs, $4.99 lb, fully cured fiji, in their tanks. I've calculated all of the costs and this is the most economical for me. Anyways, I do not want any unwanted inverts or parasites in my new tank, so I've read that a dip in a high salt bath with cause the unwanted critters out and into the bucket. Is this true? If it is, about how long should i leave the lr in the bucket?

oeb · 04-14-2008, 05:38 PM

If was to start from scratch, I would buy some porous base rock for roughly $2-3/lb and "cure" it myself while waiting for the tank to cycle. It may take longer to cycle, but it accomplishes what you are speaking of and would cost less as well.

aquaboy · 04-14-2008, 05:42 PM

Why buy LR to nuke it? Just get base rock.............

GuitarMan89 · 04-14-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Why buy LR to nuke it? Just get base rock..

Im not doing that, Im buying cured lr. I will place it in my tank when I get back from buying it. All I want to know is if placing it in a very salty solution will cause the mantis shrimp, bristle worms and so forth to crawl out from the lr and thus not get into my tank?

GuitarMan89 · 04-14-2008, 05:50 PM

On the other point, i have thought about curing it myself, but I would rather not because of the smell. ( I will still be living at home with my parents and siblings) the savings would be marginal to me, also, I feel that base rock doesn't look nearly as nice as lr, non base. I understand that many do that, but Im doing this whole project because I want to and am able to right now. I want to do it the way I want to do it. (I don't mean to sound snoby or like a jerk, but I really can't say that any better, sorry in advance)

Otty · 04-14-2008, 06:14 PM

It's your money so spend it as you will. If you want to throw it away then throw some this way. As for the smell of LR curing???? Where did you hear that one from?

Fresh water dip will get out any unwanted livestock you don't want. Just make sure you get the FW in all the hidden places.

If this is going to be a reef then who cares what the rock looks like, it should be covered with coral so you never see it.

Just make sure you take it slow because it already sounds like to me that you are in a hurry. Doing things fast will only cause problems later one. Read Omards signature....it says it all!

bmshehan · 04-14-2008, 06:46 PM

[quote=Otty;432972]

Fresh water dip will get out any unwanted livestock you don't want. Just make sure you get the FW in all the hidden places.
quote]

I dipped mine and still had a snail hitchike. Also some sort of worm that I have only seen once. This is where putting all dead rock comes into play. You know EXACTLY whats going into your tank. My rock enjoyed a 20 degree 50 min. drive in a truck down the interstate, then sat outside for another hour plus, then got freshwater dipped and I still had hitchhikers!! The only way to be ABSOLUTELY SURE it has no hitchikers is to use base rock. IMO there is too much money riding on it to take a chance with someone else's LR. But ultimately it's your decision. Any tank I start from here on out is all base rock.

GuitarMan89 · 04-14-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

as for the smell of LR curing???? Where did you hear that one from?

I read this on several threads here as well as on other sites and a few books. I believe it is due largely to the ammonia given off as well as other chemicals. You may not get this with base rock as it doesn't have the macro organinisms to die off.

My other thing is that Im not planning a reed tank as of now, just FOWLR. So i would like look as nice as possible

reefersRus · 04-14-2008, 07:15 PM

When you get live rock that is not cured it can smell bad. However, when you are curing it you will only smell it if you somehow learn to smell underwater without drowning

Good luck with your tank.

omard · 04-14-2008, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuitarMan89

I've been reading through a bunch of the lr posts and didn't really see a direct answer to this question, although some posts seem to touch on it. I plan on buying my lr from a lfs, $4.99 lb, fully cured fiji, in their tanks. I've calculated all of the costs and this is the most economical for me. Anyways, I do not want any unwanted inverts or parasites in my new tank, so I've read that a dip in a high salt bath with cause the unwanted critters out and into the bucket. Is this true? If it is, about how long should i leave the lr in the bucket?

Strong SW dip is way I did mine. Dipped for less then minute...

Quite amazing to see all the things that run out of it.