fiji dry rock question

[tdam]

I just got some fiji dry rock to set up in a NEW tank. Should I soak it in vinegar or anything? Or will it go thru it's cyle and clear up. I'm asking b/c i heard it could be high in nitrates or nitrates, or whatever.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm just a newbie.

 

[lilrobb]

Depends,
Formerly live rock that was just dried out should be soaked in RODI and then rinsed, washing all detritus etc out.
True dry rock can just be rinsed and then used.

 

[cr500_af]

And "formerly live rock" will probably be pretty nasty while it cures, unless it was dry for a long time.

 

[tdam]

How do i know if it's fromerly live rock? I got it from marcosrocks. this is the description that it had for it.

This is the rock that started it all, the "Holy Grail"
and now better than ever "pre cycled" Our Smart Start rock gets you up and running even faster
this rock ships to you nearly 100% free of trapped organics

 

[tdam]

well my tank isn't set up yet. i should be getting it in tomorrow and then will have to set it up in the next few weeks.

so my question is... can i go ahead and do the RO dip, and then let it sit out again for a few weeks? or do i have to dip it when my tank is set up and then put it immediately in the tank?

 

[lilrobb]

That is true DRY rock - rinse dust off and use...

 

[dangit2001]

What color is your rock? If it is white like bright white then you should be fine. I left a live rock out once and it dried completely. It was really white and I just threw it in the tank and it was fine.

 

[tdam]

yes, it's white. some of the bottom of some are brown. but not too bad.

 

[tdam]

while i'm here asking a couple of questions, and don't wanna start too many treads... i wanna ask one more quick question.

I wanna go by the rule of like 1lb per gallon with live rock. but with my fiji rock being so "porous", if i used that rule, my tank would be totally overcrowed with this rock. any ideas?

 

[lilrobb]

Yup,
Don't use any rules, LOL

Do whatever looks good to you - if more rock is needed for filtration there is always the sump...

 

[tdam]

ok. thanks lilrobb. i hope u are here to answer more questions for me in the future. cuz i'm sure i'll be asking quite a few.

 

[cr500_af]

The surface area is what you truly need, not weight. Porous rock is the best, due to large surface area for its size and weight. You'll generally pay more for really good porous rock, but you need less of it by weight.

 

[dangit2001]

So how big is your tank again?(its your neighbor by the way) You saw my tank, I tried to go with that rule but it does not leave a lot of space in your tank. Also consider how you want to stack your rocks. My first time, I had the rocks in the middle of the tank and the nice part about it is that I can clean all four sides of the tank. With my current arrangement, my rocks are touching the sides so it makes it hard to clean the algae.

And about the rocks, if your going to take your time and cycle the tank then just through it in there.

 

[tdam]

whaddup neighbor!

it's 24 x 24 x 18.

 

[dangit2001]

you going to take a smoke break? I could take a look at your rock.

 

[tdam]

dangit2001;494418 wrote: you going to take a smoke break? I could take a look at your rock.

yea, come take a look at it.

 

[jcusmarine]

tdam;494417 wrote: whaddup neighbor!

it's 24 x 24 x 18.

Ah, a fellow 45 cube! Awesome.

Hey, I used Marco rock and just gave it a good dust off and placed it in my tank. I went through a full cycle, no probs. Nice rock IMO and as the tank matures post cycle it will color up nicely with coraline and biodiversity.....just takes patience.

Enjoy!

 

[dangit2001]

alright, see you in a few minutes.