Adding live rock for well established tank.

[Kapachuka3]

How risky is adding liverock to a tank i have had for around 8-9 years. Currently have coral and i was hoping to make a bigger cave for my clownfish since the ones they have are somewhat small.

 

[Uncle99]

The risk of introducing a pest or two. Same anytime you use live rock.

Otherwise no reason you can’t do that.

But 8+ years, I’d just use like a Carib-sea life rock to complete.

 

[Kapachuka3]

The risk of introducing a pest or two. Same anytime you use live rock.

Otherwise no reason you can’t do that.

Sick, would u recommend dry rock or live and im talking a small piece of either just for a roof for the cave

 

[TX_REEF]

I'd just use dry rock. you'll have more control over shape, size and price, and no risk of introducing pests.

 

[Uncle99]

Sick, would u recommend dry rock or live and im talking a small piece of either just for a roof for the cave

Then for sure, dry rock. This eliminates the risk. It’s not like your system is not mature.

Carbi-Sea rock (the already purple stuff) works great for me, blends in nicely.

 

[edsbeaker]

If you’re only getting a small piece or two, I also say get dry for sure.

 

[JonoH]

Dry rock could potentially trigger a mini-cycle, they have a tendancy to leach Nitrates for the first few months.

I have added in live rock a few times to my tank and sump, but mostly from local reefers who were selling it off.
Never had any pests come in on it thankfully.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Dry rock could potentially trigger a mini-cycle,

Please explain

 

[JonoH]

Please explain

Only from hearing anecdotally that some dry rocks can leech nitrates. In my previous tank i added in some dry rock that messed up the balance in the tank, ended up a heap out outbreaks of Algea which resulted in Dino's.

Its not necessarily the rock itself, but some of the outer parts of the rock that dissolves once added into saltwater.
I remember Tidal Gardens doing a video on it years ago - there SPS display tank dry rock had insane hair algea growth on it.

I think though if it was introduced slowly it would be fine, just dont go overboard.
I'm sure the existing dry rock the OP has will be fine.

 

[JonoH]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/adding-dry-rock-to-a-cycled-tank.643950/

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Only from hearing anecdotally that some dry rocks can leech nitrates. In my previous tank i added in some dry rock that messed up the balance in the tank, ended up a heap out outbreaks of Algea which resulted in Dino's.

Its not necessarily the rock itself, but some of the outer parts of the rock that dissolves once added into saltwater.
I remember Tidal Gardens doing a video on it years ago - there SPS display tank dry rock had insane hair algea growth on it.

I think though if it was introduced slowly it would be fine, just dont go overboard.
I'm sure the existing dry rock the OP has will be fine.

That's not what a "mini-cycle" is.