additional live rock after cycling?

Discussion in 'Live Rock' started by REEFerMADNESS88, Oct 14, 2015.

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  1. REEFerMADNESS88

    REEFerMADNESS88 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Hello all, I was just wondering if its a good idea to add a little additional live rock after the tank is established. Are there any potential adverse effects besides the addition of some hitch hikers?
     
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  3. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    While adding lr will certainly not hurt anything.Hitchhikers can be disastrous. You could add some dry rock to be safe.
     
  4. APC

    APC Gigas Clam

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    I would add dry rock as well. Sure it's white - but over time - faster than you think - it will turn into live rock. I did my tank with mostly dry rock and some live rock from another tank - and today - there is no way you would be able to tell which piece was live originally vs. dry. Remember with reef keeping - patience is a must.

    Also if you add live rock to a newly cycled tank - you have the potential to overload the newly established biological filter you created with your cycle - and send the tank back into a mini-cycle.
     
  5. APC

    APC Gigas Clam

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    I would add dry rock as well. Sure it's white - but over time - faster than you think - it will turn into live rock. I did my tank with mostly dry rock and some live rock from another tank - and today - there is no way you would be able to tell which piece was live originally vs. dry. Remember with reef keeping - patience is a must.

    Also if you add live rock to a newly cycled tank - you have the potential to overload the newly established biological filter you created with your cycle - and send the tank back into a mini-cycle.
     
  6. REEFerMADNESS88

    REEFerMADNESS88 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    awesome thanks for the advice guys
     
  7. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    as long as you know the risk of hitchhikers - you can put in additional live rock - I like to add pieces periodically for biological diversity
     
  8. REEFerMADNESS88

    REEFerMADNESS88 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    that was my thinking im a big fan of diversity however it is a 2.5 pico so i am wary of the bio-load.
     
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  10. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    oh, DOH! I forgot it was a pico
     
  11. REEFerMADNESS88

    REEFerMADNESS88 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    yeah just trying to get a cave going on the other side of the tank for the gramma maybe ill just stick with dry rock to be safe