[cntrygrl23]

So this morning I noticed a HUGE worm sticking out of my live rock (around 8 inches long!!). This was def. not a Bristol worm due to the fact that it had a pointed nose and no 'spikes'. He was munching on one of my snails and I have now finally realized what is eating them (initially thought it was hermits). I attempted to grab the ***** but he was to fast and got away but left a slime trail behind him. Due to the fact that I was grossed out, I grabbed the large chunk of rock and threw it outside and did not think twice.

Ok so the problem now is that I have only about 4 lbs of rock left in my 10 gallon tank which has been set up for about 10 months. I have LPS, softies and fish in my tank. I decided that it would not be a good idea to add another piece of live rock from my LFS due to the amount of hitchhikers that they have. I bought about 6 pounds of dry rock to ensure no nasty worms and such get in my tank again. I have brushed and cleaned the rocks with RODI and then added them to my pre-mixed water in a bucket. My LFS told me that I can just place it in my tank and it should be ok. I am concerned that if I do this a large cycle may occur and kill everything. What do I need to do? Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!!

 

[poolshark8961]

If it is dry rock, there should be no organic material on it to cause an ammonia spike and thus lead to a secondary cycle. The bacterial populations will colonize the new rock and turn into live rock in a few weeks.

 

[Regalblue41]

Your tank will not have to recycle,you are not increasing the bioload on the system,place the rock in the areas that you want them,give it a little time,and you will see,coraline algae,and other life,from your other rocks pop up on your new ones.....To help coraline grow faster on the rocks ,after a couple of days of the new rocks being in there,if you have coraline algae on the glass in your tank,shave some off your glass to seed the rock

 

[cntrygrl23]

Thanks Poolshark, It is dry rock that I purchased it is white and bone dry. So the only way it would start a cycle is if there were possible dead hitchhikers, sponges etc still in the rock?

 

[cntrygrl23]

Thanks Regalblue, I was just concerned that I would kill everything in my tank, I guess I'm being overly cautious. I do have coraline on my glass as well as on the rocks I have left in my tank I will def. scrape some off to try to help it out. Have you ever seen a worm with a pointed mouth before? After searching I think it may have been an enucid worm....oh well I hope there are no more in my sandbed!! lol

 

[Tommy]

Yes you will get a small cycle. Rule of thumb is don't add more than 10% dry rock the live rock in the tank. So if you have 30lbs live. Then add 3lbs dry. If it was live before it has dead critters in it.

 

[Regalblue41]

Be careful reef keeping is addictive,It is great to ask questions,It is the best and cheapest way to learn,as long as you apply what you learn anything good takes time ,,Most people that fail in the hobby,want or expect a silver bullet that will cure all their problems,If people think about things rationally and logically,They will see that it is rather easy,,We complicate things,or try to make things harder than what they are.....You will be fine ,just take your time...

 

[poolshark8961]

Thanks Poolshark, It is dry rock that I purchased it is white and bone dry. So the only way it would start a cycle is if there were possible dead hitchhikers, sponges etc still in the rock?

Correct. The only way to cause any sort of event to start again would be to add the nutrients to the system.. IE dead organic material that is still trapped in the pores of the stone itself.

 

[cntrygrl23]

Thanks for the advice guys! I added the rock tonight after washing it and having had it soaking in saltwater most of the day with a heater and pump. just for peace of mind I even tested the water and the param's were all good, Keeping my fingers crossed! lol