Do or dont??

[copperkills]

Im thinking of swapping out all my LR with new quarried macro rock,  will my tank encounter a substantial cycle from disturbing the Sandbed that I should take chemical measures to prevent? Im not replacing the SB but my current rock is embedded roughly 4".

Comments or suggestions welcomed.

 

[davesolo29]

It will go thru a major cycle.

Just a word of advice, rinse it very well a few times.  For at least a week.  If you seed it seperatly for a few weeks prior to swapping it will be best as well.  I have used lots of the dry rock and it always seems to leech phosphates.  Just a word of warning.

 

[pulpfiction1]

Im thinking of swapping out all my LR with new quarried macro rock,  will my tank encounter a substantial cycle from disturbing the Sandbed that I should take chemical measures to prevent? Im not replacing the SB but my current rock is embedded roughly 4\".

Comments or suggestions welcomed.

myself i would be more concerned about the 4 inches of sand that the rock is buried in,Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) is quite toxic and at 4 inches i would think there is a possibility of some present,if you could remove the imbedded rocks over a course of time as opposed to all at once it might be safer.this would be my main concern over a cycle

 

[Darryl_V]

whats wrong with your LR that you have now?

 

[copperkills]

The LR I have are very large pieces that I have had for 7 years now.  They are terrible for aquascaping and leave me with little area on the SB and if I ever get sps to grow it will be extremely difficult to maintain anything near the bottom of the tank.  I want to reduce the size and area the LR occupies in my DT so I can grow out colonies.

 

[Darryl_V]

Have you thought about a hammer and chissel?  Or even a tile saw......you could clean the rock and break it up to create an aquascape and put it back together in one day....if you do it right you shouldnt have a problem  IMO.

 

[chuckm]

Keep the LR, hammer and chisel for sure.  you'll be surprised at the newer shapes you'll get.

 

[teebone110]

Copper just likes to find new ways to spend all his money

 

[copperkills]

Well,  I took a risk and pulled out all my rock except for the largest deepest piece;  which Instead of lifting out I slowly dragged it a few inhes.  I did that yesterday and finished my new aquascape just before lights out!  So far so good! All fish and critters are still looking happy and healthy.  I needed to rearrange my rock to eliminate shadowing so I get complete light coverage from my VEGA.  Im much happier with the result.

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

[quote author=copperkills link=topic=3840.msg34115#msg34115 date=1356368631]
Well,  I took a risk and pulled out all my rock except for the largest deepest piece;  which Instead of lifting out I slowly dragged it a few inhes.  I did that yesterday and finished my new aquascape just before lights out!  So far so good! All fish and critters are still looking happy and healthy.  I needed to rearrange my rock to eliminate shadowing so I get complete light coverage from my VEGA.  Im much happier with the result.
[/what size is yur tank?...i have a al sol still innthe box ..do yu ok with one or yu need another vega?

 

[copperkills]

If I wanted full light coverage I would need two units...My tank is a 65g...Im happy with the low PAR levels on 4" in from either side (75) where I place my blastos and chalice.  Rest of SB is roughly 175.

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

Mine is also a 65.  ..36x24x8. .. How high do yu have yours off the top of water?

 

[copperkills]

12" above