New Tank - Filling & Adding Rock Question

[dankoos]

OK, I have my live rock sitting in a bath of saltwater (w/ heater and powerhead). I have approx 30 gallons of RO water ready to put in 90 gal tank (have to empty this to start making more RO water). Here's my question, if I put the rock in my tank and put the 30 gallons of water in (plus the 4-8 gallons from the rock container) and it does not quite submerge all the rock (about 50lbs), how long can I leave it like that? I will have another 30 gal or so of RO water by the next day, but kids and family activities may not let me get to it for another day or two. Should I be worried about "die-off"? I am not worried about a cycle obviously with no fish yet, but bought this rock right out of the water (aquaculture facility) and don't want to ruin it.

Water source is not close enough to set up so new RO water goes directly in tank.

Any advice appreciated

[brascal1]

What about offloading the Salt water to tubs while you make more? Or putting the salt water in the tank and leave the LR where it is?

[dankoos]

was thinking of leaving live rock where it is and putting saltwater in tank. Only hangup on that was sand. I don't plan on putting more than a coating of sand on the bottom of the tank, but even w/ that small amount, I have read/been told that rock should go in first, then sand. If there is water in there, will that make it tough to spread the sand around? If not, that is probably the way to go. I think I am trying to make this harder than it is.

[Fizz71]

I think you are too...just fill your tank with RO, get the salt in, then add the sand. Let it settle and then add the rock.

Adding rock before sand is important if you're going for a deep bed. The problem you get by adding the rock second is that the sand will shift from water currents and creature habits and can cause your rockwork to crumble. As long as the rock is settled into the bottom of the tank once you add it you should be fine.

If the sand is thin enough you could also add the sand first and then the RO and salt (as long as the sand is not live) to avoid some sand storming. Just stir it up a little once all the salt's in so that the salt water penetrates into the sand quickly and make sure you don't have settled salt. Me personally..I went with water/salt/sand/rock.

And a word from the wise...from somebody stung in the past...do not let the RO go straight into your tank once it's setup..it's a recipe for disaster. For initial filling that's fine..that's actually how I did it...all 240g of it. :) ...took a few days! But long term it's a bad idea.

[wooden_reefer]

OK, I have my live rock sitting in a bath of saltwater (w/ heater and powerhead). I have approx 30 gallons of RO water ready to put in 90 gal tank (have to empty this to start making more RO water). Here's my question, if I put the rock in my tank and put the 30 gallons of water in (plus the 4-8 gallons from the rock container) and it does not quite submerge all the rock (about 50lbs), how long can I leave it like that? I will have another 30 gal or so of RO water by the next day, but kids and family activities may not let me get to it for another day or two. Should I be worried about "die-off"? I am not worried about a cycle obviously with no fish yet, but bought this rock right out of the water (aquaculture facility) and don't want to ruin it.

Water source is not close enough to set up so new RO water goes directly in tank.

Any advice appreciated

You can also put the rock in a smaller container and cycle it there. A 36 gal container is just $8, if all your rock will fit the container to 2/3 filled. This type of containers are nice to have later.