Storing LiveRocks

[LetItReef]

Hello,

I removed about 10lbs of LiveRocks and planning to use for future upgrade. Can I store it with RO/DI water or has to be saltwater? And yes with circulation pump and heater :)

Thanks,
Frederick

 

[LetItReef]

bump

 

[Jlobes]

if you are trying to keep it "live", then it definitely needs to be saltwater. the bacteria would die in a RODI bath

 

[Myka]

Nitrifying bacteria are the same for freshwater as saltwater. You can use RO/DI and you won't lose the nitrifying bacteria as long as you acclimate the rocks slowly over a week or so (like acclimating fish to hyposalinity). However, you WILL lose all the coralline algae and the rest of the critters living in and on the rock like spaghetti worms, peanut worms, mini brittle stars, etc.

 

[LetItReef]

Thanks

 

[Myka]

You're welcome. :)