How to remove live rock??

Discussion in 'Live Rock' started by colcol79, Mar 27, 2011.

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  1. colcol79

    colcol79 Feather Duster

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    Hi i have the red sea max 130d tank.
    I have 25kg of live rock in it, i had previously owned a number of corals but have decided to go fish only (with a little rock for decoration)

    My question is this...

    How do i remove the live rock?

    Ok i can hear you all laughing and saying put your hands in and lift it out, but i mean will removing it all at once cause an ammonia spike or mess with the params at all?

    Im thinking about the bacteria on the rock?
    i have a deep sand bed and
    I also have the "tubes" for bacteria in the filter and i run carbon and p04 remover.

    Advice more than welcome :confused::confused:
     
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  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    I have to think that since you are removing a significant part of your biological filter that it will affect the water quality even if it is not measurable or just trace.

    Just to be safe I would not remove it all at one time.

    Of course the DSB plays in your favor as well.

    You might think of using a product call Microbacter7 while the tank adjust to the decrease in the bacterial filter.
     
  4. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    What fish are in the tank? Why are you taking it out and what are you replacing it with?
     
  5. JJL

    JJL Purple Tang

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    Just remove a little at a time and you should be ok.. just make sure to keep your params stable :)
     
  6. colcol79

    colcol79 Feather Duster

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    Only two common clowns and a small blennie
     
  7. colcol79

    colcol79 Feather Duster

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    Two common clowns and a small blennie.
    Taking it out because i want it fish only, i have no intention of it being a reef set up now, as i dont have time to look after it as much.

    Not replacing it with anything going to leave one or two rocks for hiding places.
     
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  9. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Aye, you are getting rid of the rocks with coral attached? The clownfish can handle some dramatic parameter changes. Not sure on the blenny, really depends on the specific type. Best scenario~ remove a little at a time. I don't think you will crash your system by getting a little carried away either. You can also add some base and/or a decoration prior to taking some of the rock out. This will give it a little time to establish beneficial bacteria to replace what you take out.
     
  10. colcol79

    colcol79 Feather Duster

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    Ok mate cheers. i'll take out a little at a time.

    should the bacteria on the sand be enough of a filter?
    i also have those macaroni tube things infront of mechanical filter.
    Never ran without live rock before.
     
  11. bvb-etf-luva

    bvb-etf-luva Banned

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    why would you want to take the rock out? even fish only tanks have live rock. unless all the coral is attached