newbie question on using LR and DR combination

[kusanagiz]

Hello,

Currently I have a 60 gal tank w/ no fishes and one hitchhiker snail.

I have 10 lbs of semi dead rock (left it in a box for too long but it looks like life is starting to grow back)

10 lbs of Premium Fiji Rock

30 lbs of Marshal Island Rock.

Any suggestions on the type of Dead Rock I should get? How should I arrange them w/ the LR so that the DR eventually become LR? How long should I expect to wait until that happens? Do i really need to scrape the LR onto the DR in order to spawn life on it?

Lots of questions and would be appreciative if someone could give me advice. Thanks!

 

[Mihai]

Hello,

Currently I have a 60 gal tank w/ no fishes and one hitchhiker snail.

I have 10 lbs of semi dead rock (left it in a box for too long but it looks like life is starting to grow back)

10 lbs of Premium Fiji Rock

30 lbs of Marshal Island Rock.

Any suggestions on the type of Dead Rock I should get?

The right type . Ideally the one that used to be live rock at some point or made from the same material (used to be live corals long long time ago). Several vendors sell it online, just buy from a supplier that has a good reputation and you'll get the right type.

How should I arrange them w/ the LR so that the DR eventually become LR?

Any way is fine: most life on LR is able to move to other rocks or spawn to other rocks. Of course you can help by putting them close to each other (one on top of each other, e.g. base rock at the base, live rock on top).

How long should I expect to wait until that happens? Do i really need to scrape the LR onto the DR in order to spawn life on it?

Lots of questions and would be appreciative if someone could give me advice. Thanks!

Some live will move immediately (few seconds -> bacteria), some will wait a few minutes/hours -> the pods, others will take a bit more time (e.g. spagetti worms), but I'd say that in one month you'll have them 95% live with everything can be moved. Obviously some things will not move (e.g. a clam/coral/etc.), but most will.

It will become "functional" filter-wise (i.e. with bacterias) in a matter of days.

Take everything I said with a grain of salt: I just started one year ago.
It's amazing how much you can learn in one year though.

Peace,
M.[/quote]

 

[kusanagiz]

oh definitely. i've learned bits and pieces all the time as time progresses and i find out new things.

thanks for ur input!

seems like i don't need to do much to try to "culture" my new DR but just put them close together.