Rock Rubble

krs1102 · 08/18/2018, 07:09 AM

I bought a package of some live rock rubble from Marine Depot to pile into my sump (I want a supply of rock for gluing coral). It is definitely not "live" rock (very dry). I know for larger pieces, they need to be cured and the phosphates need to leach out. It doesn't look like there is anything on the rocks that would lead to any sort of ammonia spike. Does the same rule hold for smaller pieces? Could I just add one piece at a time to my sump over the course of months? My tank is 125 gallons with a 29 gallon sump.

billdogg · 08/18/2018, 08:26 AM

Personally, I’d keep it dry but nail you are ready to use it. Rubble in the sump will Just collect detritus and be difficult to clean

mcgyvr · 08/18/2018, 09:26 AM

Toss them right in...enjoy

AlSimmons · 08/18/2018, 09:36 AM

I would keep them dry too. Tossing them in the sump is not really going to accomplish anything and like mentioned above they can trap a lot crap too if your not careful. When you need something to glue a frag to just grab one from the bag and call it a day.

hkgar · 08/18/2018, 01:19 PM

Put them in the sump so when you move them to DT they won't stand out for lack of color

JTL · 08/18/2018, 01:21 PM

I keep about a gallon or so of rubble in my refugium. I put it into a basket made from egg crate so I can move it around or even remove it if I wanted. Adds a little buffer and is great for pods. I also have some dry in a box. If we use some of the "seasoned" rock for mounting frags I just add some from the dry box.

krs1102 · 08/18/2018, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTL

I keep about a gallon or so of rubble in my refugium. I put it into a basket made from egg crate so I can move it around or even remove it if I wanted. Adds a little buffer and is great for pods. I also have some dry in a box. If we use some of the "seasoned" rock for mounting frags I just add some from the dry box.

My pods could use a place to be left alone and reproduce a bit. I haven't seen many pods in the tank.

krs1102 · 08/18/2018, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

Put them in the sump so when you move them to DT they won't stand out for lack of color

Good point- but do I need to worry about a nitrate or phosphate spike when I throw them in?

hkgar · 08/18/2018, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krs1102

Good point- but do I need to worry about a nitrate or phosphate spike when I throw them in?

Maybe, maybe not. I wouldn't. When I get rock I put it right in. Wet, Dry, Dead or alive in it goes. Never had a problem.

You can never have enough rock. (Particularly if you feed like I do. The more the merrier for poop removal).

krs1102 · 08/18/2018, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

Maybe, maybe not. I wouldn't. When I get rock I put it right in. Wet, Dry, Dead or alive in it goes. Never had a problem.

You can never have enough rock. (Particularly if you feed like I do. The more the merrier for poop removal).

First, thanks for the advice Gary.

Also, how much do you feed? I'm always curious when someone says they are a heavy feeder how much that actually is.....

hkgar · 08/18/2018, 03:19 PM

I feed 1 large Romaine lettuce leaf, 1 4"x8" piece Nori, 2 pinches pellet 3x's day and 3 cubes (10 grams) home made frozen and the fish would like more.

08/18/2018, 07:09 AM	#1
krs1102 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 60	Rock Rubble I bought a package of some live rock rubble from Marine Depot to pile into my sump (I want a supply of rock for gluing coral). It is definitely not "live" rock (very dry). I know for larger pieces, they need to be cured and the phosphates need to leach out. It doesn't look like there is anything on the rocks that would lead to any sort of ammonia spike. Does the same rule hold for smaller pieces? Could I just add one piece at a time to my sump over the course of months? My tank is 125 gallons with a 29 gallon sump.

08/18/2018, 08:26 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Personally, I’d keep it dry but nail you are ready to use it. Rubble in the sump will Just collect detritus and be difficult to clean __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

08/18/2018, 09:26 AM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Toss them right in...enjoy __________________ Who me?

08/18/2018, 01:19 PM	#5
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Put them in the sump so when you move them to DT they won't stand out for lack of color __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

08/18/2018, 01:21 PM	#6
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	I keep about a gallon or so of rubble in my refugium. I put it into a basket made from egg crate so I can move it around or even remove it if I wanted. Adds a little buffer and is great for pods. I also have some dry in a box. If we use some of the "seasoned" rock for mounting frags I just add some from the dry box. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

08/18/2018, 09:36 AM	#4
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	I would keep them dry too. Tossing them in the sump is not really going to accomplish anything and like mentioned above they can trap a lot crap too if your not careful. When you need something to glue a frag to just grab one from the bag and call it a day.

08/18/2018, 03:19 PM	#11
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	I feed 1 large Romaine lettuce leaf, 1 4"x8" piece Nori, 2 pinches pellet 3x's day and 3 cubes (10 grams) home made frozen and the fish would like more. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels