Gulf live rock

[Alaska209]

I’m going to purchase about 30lbs from gulf live rock for a new tank build, it currently has zero live stock. Can I add the live rock directly to the tank?

 

[DmitryB]

I’m going to purchase about 30lbs from gulf live rock for a new tank build, it currently has zero live stock. Can I add the live rock directly to the tank?

Yep, it can go directly to the tank. (I just received live sand from them earlier this week, it went directly in.)

 

[UNCFAN]

According to the owner of GLR it is ok to put directly into a newly established tank that has no livestock yet.

 

[steveschuerger]

Nice thing is the tank will be ready to add livestock almost immediately. Live rock makes it pretty much insta cycle. Wait and test but you can probably start adding durable softies and even some LPS after about a week or 2.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

When you take it out of the box, make sure to look in the bags for any critters that might have fallen off. Some might be good to have and could go in your aquarium.

Also, it may just be me, but when I get live rock I like to dip it in a bucket of saltwater and shake it a little bit. Sometimes the hitchiker critters don't make it in shipping and they ideally should be removed. It also shakes off any loose sand/shells you may not want in the new tank.

 

[Pistondog]

I’m going to purchase about 30lbs from gulf live rock for a new tank build, it currently has zero live stock. Can I add the live rock directly to the tank?

Yes. Typical packaging is wet paper towels, so expect some die off, depending on ship times. But i put mine right in also.
As others have said watchfor undesirables, i didnt see any on mine.

Good choice, enjoy your rocks!

 

[exnisstech]

I just put 35 lbs in a tank with flow and light to cure and had a very noticeable ammonia spike according to my ammonia alert badge. I did not pay for over night shipping and the rock is not shipped submerged in water so there will be some die off. I had some dead clams for sure. After a large water change the ammonia dropped. I don't know that I would put it directly in a running tank with livestock. Mine is going into a new build not filled yet. I have not noticed by pests.

 

[malacoda]

1. Clean off any sponges, tunicates, etc. that look black and smell rotted.

2. Optional but recommended — dip in a bucket of water and swish/shake to help remove any loose debris / dead critters in the nooks and crannies. (I typically just use tap water since I'm on a well (e.g. non-chlorinated) ... but you can use RODI or salt. I go wish fresh and/or low salinity to help encourage unwanted critters to abandon ship.)

3. Straight into your DT. (The 3 batches I received from Gulf Live Rock did not cause an ammonia spike, but I'm in NC so transit time was fairly short.)

 

[mook1178]

If going in a tank with no livestock, it will be fine.

I disagree with the removal of dead organisms if going in a tank with no livestock. The rotting organisms will decay an help keep the cycle extremely active. Give it a week and you can begin adding fish, corals, CUC, etc

 

[Alaska209]

If going in a tank with no livestock, it will be fine.

I disagree with the removal of dead organisms if going in a tank with no livestock. The rotting organisms will decay an help keep the cycle extremely active. Give it a week and you can begin adding fish, corals, CUC, etc

Rock is arriving tomorrow, tank is fully cycled should I do the first large water change before adding the rock?

 

[Alaska209]

1. Clean off any sponges, tunicates, etc. that look black and smell rotted.

2. Optional but recommended — dip in a bucket of water and swish/shake to help remove any loose debris / dead critters in the nooks and crannies. (I typically just use tap water since I'm on a well (e.g. non-chlorinated) ... but you can use RODI or salt. I go wish fresh and/or low salinity to help encourage unwanted critters to abandon ship.)

3. Straight into your DT. (The 3 batches I received from Gulf Live Rock did not cause an ammonia spike, but I'm in NC so transit time was fairly short.)

Order arrives tomorrow and tank is fully cycled, should I complete a large water change before adding the rock?

 

[HARDY CORALS]

Full send.

 

[Subsea]

Order arrives tomorrow and tank is fully cycled, should I complete a large water change before adding the rock?

NO

 

[Alaska209]

Full send.

 

[Alaska209]

Order arrives tomorrow and tank is fully cycled, should I complete a large water change before adding the rock?

NO

Appreciate the response!

 

[Gulf Live Rock]

1. Clean off any sponges, tunicates, etc. that look black and smell rotted.

2. Optional but recommended — dip in a bucket of water and swish/shake to help remove any loose debris / dead critters in the nooks and crannies. (I typically just use tap water since I'm on a well (e.g. non-chlorinated) ... but you can use RODI or salt. I go wish fresh and/or low salinity to help encourage unwanted critters to abandon ship.)

3. Straight into your DT. (The 3 batches I received from Gulf Live Rock did not cause an ammonia spike, but I'm in NC so transit time was fairly short.)

Great thread with good information but I did want to chime in and say that we strongly recommend that you do not use fresh water to rinse the rock. It can turn a coral from brown to white in seconds. The dip and rinse is recommended as well as scrubbing with a medium strength nylon brush. Just make sure to use saltwater. Thanks

 

[Alaska209]

1. Clean off any sponges, tunicates, etc. that look black and smell rotted.

2. Optional but recommended — dip in a bucket of water and swish/shake to help remove any loose debris / dead critters in the nooks and crannies. (I typically just use tap water since I'm on a well (e.g. non-chlorinated) ... but you can use RODI or salt. I go wish fresh and/or low salinity to help encourage unwanted critters to abandon ship.)

3. Straight into your DT. (The 3 batches I received from Gulf Live Rock did not cause an ammonia spike, but I'm in NC so transit time was fairly short.)

Great thread with good information but I did want to chime in and say that we strongly recommend that you do not use fresh water to rinse the rock. It can turn a coral from brown to white in seconds. The dip and rinse is recommended as well as scrubbing with a medium strength nylon brush. Just make sure to use saltwater. Thanks

Thanks, I ended up having zero ammonia spike.

 

[llama72]

I have some older liver rock that I think may be leaching. My thoughts were to take a few pieces at a time, let them dry out, then add back to the tank and repeat. Is this a good idea?

 

[DmitryB]

I have some older liver rock that I think may be leaching. My thoughts were to take a few pieces at a time, let them dry out, then add back to the tank and repeat. Is this a good idea?

Phosphates will not go away through drying. I'll be putting in extremely old dry Pukani rock into my tank (the one Marco's is selling) and it's leaching. It does not evaporate, it needs to be cleaned/treated in water.