Live Rock for Fish Only: worth the risk?

EternalItch · 05-10-2006, 08:58 PM

I'm setting up my new 65 gal AGA megaflow tank soon.

Most everywhere I read, LR is highly recommended for biological filtration (can look nice too). But the guy at my LFS is recommending *against* LR because my filtration (wet/dry for up to a 100 gal tank + protein skimmer) is more than adequate for my tank. Since LR carries the risk of bringing parasites and disease into my soon-to-be tank, he thinks its not worth the risk. My LFS guy said that Live Sand carries much less risk of unwanted biologics. What do you think?

Thanks for your help.

powdertang05 · 05-10-2006, 09:31 PM

what that LFS is wrong there maybe parasites if its fresh from the ocean but if its in his tanks or pre cured you will be just fine i would highly highly recommend it and the live sand cant go wrong

rjweng · 05-10-2006, 10:04 PM

Well I would recommend LR as my 65 gal tank only took 12 days to cycle. I have 50# of LR and a 350 penguin bio-wheel power filter. I did my water change today and will be getting 1 or 2 fish this friday.

EternalItch · 05-11-2006, 08:22 AM

PowderTang - Thanks for the response. The distinction between cured and uncured LR didn't click until you mentioned it. I'm somewhat surprised that my LFS doesn't have cured LR, given that it's a well-regarded store. I'll look

I plan to put a regular fluorescent tube and a 10,000K tube for lighting. Will that be enough to keep LR alive? Do I need to do anything else to keep it live?

EternalItch · 05-11-2006, 08:26 AM

rjweng - Thanks for the response. To keep my costs down, I'm considering the use of Lace Rock or dead Live Rock. Did you consider this? If so, why did you decide against it?

Diver_1298 · 05-11-2006, 10:45 AM

You can never have to much biological filtration. After saying that, Live Rock is excellent filter media and as far as risks are concerned, Anytime you introduce something into your tank there is a possibility of something unwanted being there. This includes fish and plants

If the live rock is dead and cured then it will become alive again over time, If it is ready to go "live" with your NO bulbs anything that requires bright light will die off. I am talking about hitchhiker corals and such, not bacteria or some algae.

Jim

amcarrig · 05-11-2006, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EternalItch

rjweng - Thanks for the response. To keep my costs down, I'm considering the use of Lace Rock or dead Live Rock. Did you consider this? If so, why did you decide against it?

This is what I would do. You risk adding "undesirables" to your system with the addition of live sand as much as you would with the addition of live rock.

rjweng · 05-11-2006, 12:20 PM

One thing that IS cool about Live rock is that you will start to see all kind of little critters and such from the live rock. I just found out I have like 3 maybe 4 different brittle or serpant stars in my live rock. Also besides the corline, there are snails, Glass Anemone and other things. Here is a link for thing on live rock: http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/pages/mai.../faq_rock1.htm

amcarrig · 05-11-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjweng

Glass Anemone [/url]

a.k.a. aiptasia....an unwanted pest

rjweng · 05-11-2006, 02:10 PM

Yeah need to get a shrimp for that, I think peppermint shrimp will take care of them.