Live Rock colonization

[benignoh]

Hi
I suppose this question has being ask before but could find the answer.
If i put a dry rock in my main tank that has been running for years, how long will it take this rock to be colonize so i can seed a new tank?

[crn005]

There's only anecdotal evidence to support how long. Give it two to three weeks and it should be fine. Depending on the size, bio load, and amount of live rock in the host tank, it might cause that tank to have a slight chemistry swing when the rock is removed. A system can only sustain so much nitrifying bacteria. Some of the existing bacteria will have to die off in the host tank before the new colonies can be built. Upon removing that rock, the tank will have to compensate for the missing nitrifying bacteria. If it's a larger tank, this shouldn't be a problem.