Live Rock

[Rocky06fx4]

I bought 30 pounds of live rock and won't be able to put salt walter with it for two days... Is that ok or am i ruining the live rock?

[Drumachine09]

All of the good stuff will most likely die.

[Tigerbarb]

It may result n you having to cure it longer, but other than that it is fine. Pet/fish stores get it shipped in wrapped in newspaper from what I've heard.

[Rocky06fx4]

If the stuff will die should i fill a bucket with salt water???/ Also the lady at the fish store wrapped it in news paper.

[cocoa_pleco]

it will die, it needs water. if you do leave it out you need to recure it.

Put it in a bucket of saltwater and attach a light to the bucket

[Rocky06fx4]

ok i put it in a bucket of saltwater w/ a lamp on it. but its already been like 7 hours... was I too late?

[coachfraley]

No, just get it in there. Also add a powerhead & heater in the bucket if you can. O2 and stable temps will help keep things alive.

[Drumachine09]

As soon as you expose any of it to air, sponges and other like critters die instantly.

[cocoa_pleco]

you probably lost a bit of life.

the newspaper the store gives you is to keep it moist enough until the short ride home

[Rocky06fx4]

ok added the heater to it but no powerhead.. its a marine life eclipse 29 gallon marine life kit that I bought.

[Rocky06fx4]

DARNIT I HATE THAT I MESSED Up.. Can i recover?

[cocoa_pleco]

DARNIT I HATE THAT I MESSED Up.. Can i recover?

for sure, it just has to re-cure, and most of the critters will come back.

you cant add fish or corals til it cures though, takes 1-2 weeks to cure

[coachfraley]

Do you have anything you can use for water movement? An old pump or anything? Just drop it in there.

Live rock is routinely exposed to air for long periods of time during transit from it's source. More than likely, it came all the way from Fiji (or wherever) either damp, or completely dry.

Don't worry about it.

[Rocky06fx4]

I got a whisper air pump? No powerhead though.

[cocoa_pleco]

got a spare HOB filter?

[Rocky06fx4]

Yes but i'll be able to set the live rock in my tank by tommorow.

[cocoa_pleco]

its its only til tomorrow you dont need a powerhead, its good in the bucket itself overnight

[Tigerbarb]

A filter or old skimmer will do alot of good, by keeping the water fresh in the bucket. Use one if you have one laying around.

I've seen live rock out of water for long periods of time in many photos.