Can I add Marco rock to an established tank?

[ken6217]

I am changing tanks in a week or so and during the move I wanted to take out a couple of pieces of rock that I do not like and switch them with better shaped rocks. Since the reef tank has been setup for a long time and I am just supplementing rock, I was thinking of just adding dry rock. Can this be done or is there any "dry" die off in the Marco rock? Does this seem like a good idea or does anyone have any suggestions.

Thanks,
Ken

 

[fishrdp]

I did and had no problem. The protein skimmer went crazy for the first day, other than that saw no problems.

 

[chase33]

You are taking a chance. The Marco Rock has to cure just like LR and they recommend on the site (marcorock.com) to cure the rock first.

 

[pnoyreefer]

You are taking a chance. The Marco Rock has to cure just like LR and they recommend on the site (marcorock.com) to cure the rock first.

I agree with chase .. Marco rock needs to be cured or any rock . I made that mistake long time that I added 2 dead base flat rock on my 180 thinking that it will be ok but then after a week I see signs od stn on my sps as my parameters got unstable..

 

[danthemanj]

It depends on the amount of dry marco rock you are putting in. My advice would be NOT to do it. Take a look at my Tank Build Thread ----- "Tale of the tank - 215 gallon in-wall" and you will see what comes out of the rock.

 

[ken6217]

I figured the rock was inert. Guess not. i was looking to put about 10-20 lbs of the rock in with the 70 or so ponds that I have now. Would it be a better idea then to find the rock I need from someone that is selling cured rock from their system that they are looking to sell?
Ken

 

[chase33]

You could do that. You could also cure the marco rock by putting it in a bucket with a ph for a few weeks.

 

[JohnS_323]

+1 for curing outside of your system first.

Great idea to upgrade to Marco Rock, though. That stuff is by far the best looking rock I've ever seen.

 

[MikeNapoli]

+2.

It turns purple pretty fast too. It won't stay white for long.

 

[Jf2381]

When I was curing 40 lbs of marco rock I started with a clean container, 3 months later I had a 1" accumulation of detritus in the bottom of the container. It my house smelled like {fill in the blank}. I vote for Cycling the rock first, outside or away from your main living space.

 

[chase33]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the smell. You don't want to do this in the house unless you want your family to kick you out.