Keeping Live Rock

[Patrick.S]

I recently got an amazing deal on a bunch of beautiful corraline covered live rock from someone who was just looking to shut down. I brought it home and have it in heated tub of saltwater with some flow. Now here's the rub. I plan on using it for my next tank, but that could take me 6 months or more to build. In the mean time am I going to lose all the corraline and goodies if I keep it in the dark? Do I just keep doing what I am doing and expect that it should come back easily enough when I get it all set up? I'd love some advice here.

 

[RobZilla04]

In short yes the corraline needs light. Six months with indirect household lighting will most likely result in 100% die off.

Edit: Just the corraline that is.

 

[jda]

Keep on doing what you are doing. Keep it dark. You might lost some coralline, but it will quickly come back.

About every month, swish it out and change some water... this will get some gunk out/off of it. In the olden days, this was called "cooking" rock... which does not mean using an oven or getting it hot in anyway. You can search for this if you want.

Whatever you do, do not let it dry out or die in anyway. The bacteria and porous structure are more important than what is on the surface (coralline).

 

[DesertReefT4r]

You will loose the coraline but it will come back dont worry. Just keep it in clean 35ppt seawater with some flow and it will be good.