Adding then removing a Genesis Rock to help a friend’s setup

benapilot · Oct 10, 2023

I have a well established 150 gallon mixed reef tank.
I’ll be helping a friend set up his 90 gallon tank. My thought is to get a Genesis Rock and plop it in my sump for the few weeks it’s going to take building his system. It’ll populate with beneficial bacteria giving his system a jump start.

My concern is for my system. My system will find equilibrium with the new amount of “live rock” and then suddenly all that is taken away? ‍

Is this a concern? Or will the effect be negligible?

brandon429 · Oct 10, 2023

I've never seen in 22 yrs online a single reef tank using so little live rock that it couldn't lend one out. We all run grossly excess surface area, no where near a tipping point

steveschuerger · Oct 10, 2023

I did exactly that when I started a 22 nano . I used some ”extra” rock in my 60 for base rock in the small tank. No issues, I had about 70 lbs in there.