About to replace my rocks slowly

Daddyrawg · 09/19/2019, 12:25 AM

So I have a 90 gallon with 90 lbs of LR..

I want to eventually replace all rock with reef saver marcorocks dry rock... if I swap out 5 lbs at a time per month should I be ok?

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ThRoewer · 09/19/2019, 01:45 AM

What is the purpose of this swap?
If it is to get rid of pests and nuisance algae then the little buy little approach will miss the mark.

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Daddyrawg · 09/19/2019, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThRoewer

What is the purpose of this swap?
If it is to get rid of pests and nuisance algae then the little buy little approach will miss the mark.

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Pests and algae yes, but is 5 lbs in a 90 lbs system little?

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mcgyvr · 09/19/2019, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddyrawg

Pests and algae yes, but is 5 lbs in a 90 lbs system little?

That all depends on how long you are taking to swap it out..
In minutes both pests and algae can potentially spread to a new rock..

The better move would be to cure (cycle) the rock separately and swap it all at once..
Even so pests/algae (spores,etc...) will still remain in the tank..

IMO you are just fighting a losing battle and most certainly if you haven't fixed the reason its all there in the first place..

Daddyrawg · 09/19/2019, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

That all depends on how long you are taking to swap it out..

In minutes both pests and algae can potentially spread to a new rock..

The better move would be to cure (cycle) the rock separately and swap it all at once..

Even so pests/algae (spores,etc...) will still remain in the tank..

IMO you are just fighting a losing battle and most certainly if you haven't fixed the reason its all there in the first place..

I dunno, the rocks I currently have leach phosphates and I'm hoping this new rock doesn't? Or not as bad?

I dont really have problem with pests it's more the hair algae

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ThRoewer · 09/19/2019, 11:30 AM

There are better ways to combat hair algae: a good number of Banded Trochus Snails and Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs will take care of them in no time without the need of replacing all rock. I used a good number of those (~75 snails and ~50 hermits) to clear a 40B of a massive green hair algae infestation and they licked every surface in that tank clean within two weeks. After they were done I had to disperse them on other tanks so they wouldn't starve to death. Smaller numbers will do the job as well, it may just take longer.

mcgyvr · 09/19/2019, 12:06 PM

I can't not comment on the fact that they just hinted at spending something like $400+ on snails/crabs to combat an algae issue..

Replacing rock is a bit much but thats a bit more IMO...

mcgyvr · 09/19/2019, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddyrawg

I dunno, the rocks I currently have leach phosphates and I'm hoping this new rock doesn't? Or not as bad?

I dont really have problem with pests it's more the hair algae

If you are sure your rock is leaching phosphate and don't want mess with what you have then replacing the rock is fine..
Cycling all new rock at one time and swapping it in one shot is a better move..

Daddyrawg · 09/19/2019, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

I can't not comment on the fact that they just hinted at spending something like $400+ on snails/crabs to combat an algae issue..

Replacing rock is a bit much but thats a bit more IMO...

Ya I'm not getting any snails or crabs lol

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mcgyvr · 09/19/2019, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddyrawg

Ya I'm not getting any snails or crabs lol

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Ohh.. come on.. Just a couple hundo..$$$

Do you have any snails?
How about an Urchin?
How about Fluconazole (Reef Flux)?
How about GFO?

How did your rocks get full of phosphate?

Daddyrawg · 09/19/2019, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Ohh.. come on.. Just a couple hundo..$$$

Do you have any snails?

How about an Urchin?

How about Fluconazole (Reef Flux)?

How about GFO?

How did your rocks get full of phosphate?

Couple snails lol they always die

No urchin, flukanazole on wk 3, no gfo,
AtS offline atm, 0 tds rodi...

I dunno, algae always comes back...

I think my best luck was when I was dosing
No pox, but I have 3 acros so been trying to raise nitrates to 5

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ThRoewer · 09/19/2019, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

I can't not comment on the fact that they just hinted at spending something like $400+ on snails/crabs to combat an algae issue..

Replacing rock is a bit much but thats a bit more IMO...

Replacing 90 pounds of rock cost $270, so not really much less and it won't solve the algae issue long term.
So its replacing the rocks that's really the fool's errand, especially if doing it little by little.

Sk8r · 09/20/2019, 09:30 AM

Understand that a bout with algae is usual, and that there are cheaper remedies. I had an epic and persistent algae problem, which gave way permanently to fluconazole and a good skimmer. No trouble since. I'd invest the funds in a good (used) skimmer---used, because there's fairly well nothing that can 'break' on a skimmer except the pump, and they're pretty tough. One of the problems in algae/phosphate battle is ---you do something to kill it off, but nothing to remove the 'corpse', so to speak: the nutrient stays in the system to fuel another round. Using fluconazole, WITH a good skimmer, and I would not advise using it without---the skimmate was greenish near black, and for a prolonged time, before it settled back to a green-brownish muck which is ordinary. The treatment lasted---it's the second year since, with no recurrence. The brand I used was ReefFlux.

Daddyrawg · 09/20/2019, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Understand that a bout with algae is usual, and that there are cheaper remedies. I had an epic and persistent algae problem, which gave way permanently to fluconazole and a good skimmer. No trouble since. I'd invest the funds in a good (used) skimmer---used, because there's fairly well nothing that can 'break' on a skimmer except the pump, and they're pretty tough. One of the problems in algae/phosphate battle is ---you do something to kill it off, but nothing to remove the 'corpse', so to speak: the nutrient stays in the system to fuel another round. Using fluconazole, WITH a good skimmer, and I would not advise using it without---the skimmate was greenish near black, and for a prolonged time, before it settled back to a green-brownish muck which is ordinary. The treatment lasted---it's the second year since, with no recurrence. The brand I used was ReefFlux.

I have a good skimmer an ATS and I dosed fluc...

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Daddyrawg · 09/20/2019, 09:39 AM

The new 5 lb rock I bought is so much nicer and easier to plug frags in...

It was only $15... doesn't hurt to occasionally switch out this new rock with my current ugly rocks and maybe this new rock won't leach phosphates as much

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mcgyvr · 09/20/2019, 09:39 AM

I must see pictures of said algae/problem to comment further..

Daddyrawg · 09/20/2019, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

I must see pictures of said algae/problem to comment further..

I removed one big rock that was covered with it, then I siphoned rest last night..the hair was long but week from the fluc...but there is some short strands left that I couldn't siphon...I'm even considering round 2 of fluc since i got the hairs shorter

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FamilyTank · 09/23/2019, 06:48 PM

Lightning cycle?

Daddi0 · 09/23/2019, 06:57 PM

Keep in mind that if you have elevated phos. levels, the new rock will absorb phos. and leach back into the water later.
Cheers! Mark

Daddyrawg · 09/23/2019, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FamilyTank

Lightning cycle?

What is that?

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mcgyvr · 09/23/2019, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddyrawg

What is that?

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They likely meant lighting cycle and were probably hinting that it may be too long and promoting algae.

FamilyTank · 09/24/2019, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

They likely meant lighting cycle and were probably hinting that it may be too long and promoting algae.

Exactly

Daddyrawg · 09/24/2019, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddyrawg

What is that?

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Blues 3 to 11 70%
Whites 5 to 8 15%

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Daddyrawg · 09/24/2019, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FamilyTank

Lightning cycle?

Blues 70% 3 to 11
Whites 15% 5 to 8

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09/19/2019, 12:25 AM	#1
Daddyrawg Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 814	About to replace my rocks slowly So I have a 90 gallon with 90 lbs of LR.. I want to eventually replace all rock with reef saver marcorocks dry rock... if I swap out 5 lbs at a time per month should I be ok? Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

09/19/2019, 01:45 AM	#2
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	What is the purpose of this swap? If it is to get rid of pests and nuisance algae then the little buy little approach will miss the mark. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

09/19/2019, 11:30 AM	#6
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	There are better ways to combat hair algae: a good number of Banded Trochus Snails and Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs will take care of them in no time without the need of replacing all rock. I used a good number of those (~75 snails and ~50 hermits) to clear a 40B of a massive green hair algae infestation and they licked every surface in that tank clean within two weeks. After they were done I had to disperse them on other tanks so they wouldn't starve to death. Smaller numbers will do the job as well, it may just take longer. __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

09/19/2019, 12:06 PM	#7
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I can't not comment on the fact that they just hinted at spending something like $400+ on snails/crabs to combat an algae issue.. Replacing rock is a bit much but thats a bit more IMO... __________________ Who me?

09/20/2019, 09:30 AM	#13
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Understand that a bout with algae is usual, and that there are cheaper remedies. I had an epic and persistent algae problem, which gave way permanently to fluconazole and a good skimmer. No trouble since. I'd invest the funds in a good (used) skimmer---used, because there's fairly well nothing that can 'break' on a skimmer except the pump, and they're pretty tough. One of the problems in algae/phosphate battle is ---you do something to kill it off, but nothing to remove the 'corpse', so to speak: the nutrient stays in the system to fuel another round. Using fluconazole, WITH a good skimmer, and I would not advise using it without---the skimmate was greenish near black, and for a prolonged time, before it settled back to a green-brownish muck which is ordinary. The treatment lasted---it's the second year since, with no recurrence. The brand I used was ReefFlux. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

09/20/2019, 09:39 AM	#15
Daddyrawg Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 814	The new 5 lb rock I bought is so much nicer and easier to plug frags in... It was only $15... doesn't hurt to occasionally switch out this new rock with my current ugly rocks and maybe this new rock won't leach phosphates as much Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

09/23/2019, 06:48 PM	#18
FamilyTank Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Downriver,Mi Posts: 226	Lightning cycle?

09/23/2019, 06:57 PM	#19
Daddi0 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Redwood City Posts: 1,354	Keep in mind that if you have elevated phos. levels, the new rock will absorb phos. and leach back into the water later. Cheers! Mark __________________ 2x 65g displays with a 30g cryptic refugium and 30g sump - 55g reef 30g Bio-cube reef - I.M. 30g reef - 45g freshwater