Removed live rock

[Deanster12]

Hi I have just had to remove all of my live rock from a 3 year old tank, my reason is all of my rock was covered in vermited snails and bristle worms, I have left my anemone, fish and some corals in the tank as I have nowhere to put them, I will put be putting dry rock in there tomorrow, my question is will I lose my livestock from removing all of the live rock

 

[Fish Fan]

Removing your rock is like removing the biofilter from your tank, so it's not an ideal situation to say the least. Do you have sand or any other biomedia in the tank?

 

[Deanster12]

Yes I have sand and a bit of rock in the sump, so I’m hoping it’s enough until I get some more display rock

 

[Fish Fan]

Yes I have sand and a bit of rock in the sump, so I’m hoping it’s enough until I get some more display rock

I hope so too! I would watch your ammonia here, maybe get one of those Ammonia Alert badges:
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...VXlVHAR2vXCvHEAQYASABEgI6jvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Deanster12]

Oh shoot, will it get that bad

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

If the rocks are already removed then its done. How big was the tank and how much rock, it is a big bioload?

There is nitrifying bacteria on all surfaces, the glass, the filters, the sand, the sump, everything.

At the same time, removing the rocks might have stirred up the sand, or if its a high bioload, the ammonia might not be processed so fast. I would definately monitor the ammonia and be ready to do water changes.

Not to mention that no rocks in the tank can create a high stress factor in the tank if no one can hide.

 

[Deanster12]

It’s a 50 gallon tank with just 4 fish , 4 coral and an anemone, I will be testing everyday, hopefully there’s enough bio filter in there so I don’t get a mini cycle going

 

[Dom]

Leave the rock in the tank until the additional rock arrives. You've removed the nitrifying bacterial colony with the rock.

 

[ScottJ]

Yes I have sand and a bit of rock in the sump, so I’m hoping it’s enough until I get some more display rock

Can you buy wet, cycled rock at your local fish store? If you can replace the bulk of your display rock with wet rock, you won't have any problems. That is you won't have problems after it's in.

Oh shoot, will it get that bad

I would put as much of your old rock into your sump now as will fit.

PS, Sorry to say, but you won't get rid of bristle worms by removing the rock. They are hiding in the sand and corals. But they are a good thing! Good CUC :smiling-face-with-sunglasses:

 

[Dom]

If the rocks are already removed then its done. How big was the tank and how much rock, it is a big bioload?

There is nitrifying bacteria on all surfaces, the glass, the filters, the sand, the sump, everything.

At the same time, removing the rocks might have stirred up the sand, or if its a high bioload, the ammonia might not be processed so fast. I would definately monitor the ammonia and be ready to do water changes.

Not to mention that no rocks in the tank can create a high stress factor in the tank if no one can hide.

The OP did say "just removed".

If the rock is wet in tank water, the OP could place it back in the tank. Agree; it is important that the OP monitor ammonia.

 

[Dom]

I will put be putting dry rock in there tomorrow, my question is will I lose my livestock from removing all of the live rock

Dry rock needs to be cycled. Out of the box and right into the tank will lead to huge algae blooms.

 

[ScottJ]

The OP did say "just removed".

If the rock is wet in tank water, the OP could place it back in the tank. Agree; it is important that the OP monitor ammonia.

Yup, if it's not been out super long, stick it back in!

 

[Deanster12]

The live rock is gone now

 

[Dom]

The live rock is gone now

Friend, its probably a good idea to post your ideas first before implementation. ;)

 

[Deanster12]

How long will it be before I get an ammonia spike, I will be using dry rock as it has nothing on it, the algae phase doesn’t bother me

 

[brandon429]

The verms will repopulate the new rock erasing any return on this plan. Wrong plan

If you want to beat verms, do it in the current setup. When you see that you can't, that'll be what happens here in a few months. Of course you can read everyone's guarantee of what works for them, but if that actually works you don't need to switch rocks. Your plan cannot work at all to prevent verms.

Skipping qt is your problem, not rocks.

 

[Deanster12]

I have just found 2 pieces of my live display rock, but I put them up the shed in a bag about 5 hours ago, is this still okay to throw in the sump

 

[Üter]

I would have tried bumblebee snails.

 

[Deanster12]

I have put 2 pieces of live rock in the sump, will this require lighting

 

[ScottJ]

I have just found 2 pieces of my live display rock, but I put them up the shed in a bag about 5 hours ago, is this still okay to throw in the sump

I might be tempted to give them a good scrub in clean saltwater and put them in. BUT that could be bad advice at this point. I still think the best thing you can do now, if you can, is to get some wet live rock, either from a friend or a fish store.