SEAVIEW AQUARIUM CENTRE FACT SHEET LIVE ROCK and how to add it to your aquarium

The very first thing we must stress A partial water change of up to 25% this algae grows too quickly on the rocks with Live Rock is to make sure that you should be done about 3 days after the this may smother and kill all the interest- wear rubber gloves when handling. initial introduction of Live Rock (to ing life on the rock. The many types of There are many unseen living crea- help reduce ammonia levels). If the desirable algae that grow on the rock will tures and organisms on the surface of aquarium becomes cloudy or smells grow from spores that were on the rocks the rock, and it would be very unpleas- this is a sure sign that ammonia is when it was put in. ant to have an encounter with Mantis present and more water changes are Each day monitor your aquarium for algae Shrimp, Snails or Worms. Mantis needed. When ammonia and nitrite growth then increase gradually the Shrimp have a very sharp claw which levels have fallen to nil more rock can hours of light. At least four fluorescent can slice like a razor blade. Snails can be added. This process can be re- tubes are needed to provide a light simi- vary from being completely harmless peated until you have achieved the lar to natural sunlight . There are many algae eating snails, to the deadly Cone desired effect. different types of lights and tubes avail- Shell. Some Worms have very fine Once the rock has established it is able for marine aquariums but it is impor- glass like spines and although not best to maintain a regular water change tant that one should be actinic (blue). deadly, if you do come across one routine of about 25% each month to The first week you may find that the they can leave fine spines in your remove nitrates which may build up. actinic (blue) light should be on the finger together with a very painful When all the Live Rock is added to an majority of the day with the main light sting. aquarium of any size water is displaced. only on for about one hour. Gradually A standard 48" x 14" x 20" aquarium increase the hours of the main light each Adding Live Rock may hold 200 litres, this will be re- day over the next few weeks. When the aquarium has been filled duced to approximately 140 litres if When the aquarium is established the and filters have been running for about 60kg of Live Rock are added. lights should be on for approximately 10 1 week, you can add a few kilograms of hours a day. The actinic light being on Live Rock. If your aquarium is less Test your Water the full 10 hours and the main light on than 500 litres we have found the best Water quality is monitored with sev- about 1-2 hours after for about 8-9 hours, results are to add approximately 2kg of eral test kits. A Hydrometer for the then finishing with the actinic light. This Live Rock to 100 litres of aquarium specific gravity (amount of salt in the creates a dawn / dust effect, allowing water. If you have trickle filtration and water), High Range pH test, Ammonia the inhabitants to wake up, and a chance a protein skimmer on your aquarium test (NH4), Nitrite test (NO2), Nitrate to settle for the night. you may be able to add a full box of test (NO3), and Carbonate Hardness Consult one of the Seaview team for Live Rock. One box of Live Rock test (KH). more information on lighting. weighs approximately 15-20kg, keep- It is essential to know the quality of ing this in mind a sturdy stand is your aquarium water. Only by testing needed to support all this weight. the water regularly will you know if Maintaining your Live Rock Live Rock should also be added slowly you need to add more bacteria or Good filtration is essential in maintain- so that bacteria has time to multiply in whether a water change may be neces- ing a marine aquarium with Live Rock. the filters and cope with the build up sary. The filter should turn the water over at of waste. After the rock has been least 5 time per hour, and the addition of added the water quality must be moni- Lighting a Protein Skimmers is a great asset. tored closely, as the many living crea- Initially when adding Live Rock it is Temperature should be 25oC, with a range tures on and in the rock will cause better to have the aquarium lights off of 24oC to 28oC being acceptable. ammonia levels to rise . more than on. Lighting in the marine Once the aquarium has stabilized, corals If there is not enough bacteria in the aquarium is extremely important, as can be added, then fish. Keeping in filters to break down and remove the many of corals and anemones have mind that some Angelfish and Butter- ammonia the inhabitants will suffer. algae living within them, but in the fly's for example can eat and strip much Fish, corals and invertebrates also con- early weeks intense lighting will en- of the life on the rock, so its best to get tribute to ammonia build up, so to help courage undesirable algae growth. If some advice prior to adding your fish. overcome this problem we introduce bacteria. SEAVIEW AQUARIUM CENTRE Bacteria help to get the biological cy- cle started and can be added 2 days 237Anzac Highway, Plympton S.A. 5038 before the addition of Live Rock and PH: (08) 8371 0380 continue each day for the first couple of months. email: [email protected] website: www.seaviewaquarium.com.au