Full Version: Live Rock lifespan outside of the tank
How long can LR live outside the tank while changing the reefscape? Will anything be damaged if it is out of the tank for 1/2 hour or so?
You'll have die-off if you keep it out of the tank for any length of time, though most (all?) corals will tolerate 30 min, sponges will not.
Rearranging the rock, even leaving it submersed, will likely lead to a small re-cycle.
Rearranging the rock, even leaving it submersed, will likely lead to a small re-cycle.
It depends what you have growing on that live rock. If you have coral, I'd say a half hour is probably pushing it. I'd drain some water out of the tank and hold the rock in that till you're ready to place it back in the tank. Why take any chances???
QUOTE (Mr. Fosi @ Oct 30 2009, 09:55 AM) 
You'll have die-off if you keep it out of the tank for any length of time, though most (all?) corals will tolerate 30 min, sponges will not.
Rearranging the rock, even leaving it submersed, will likely lead to a small re-cycle.
Rearranging the rock, even leaving it submersed, will likely lead to a small re-cycle.
Interesting. Thank you. The rock has nothing on it yet other than algae and one hitchiker feather duster. I have been cycling for 30 days and want to make some adjustments to the scape.
thanks for the info.
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