How long till I see some growth on my live rock

[missc4]

I am new to the saltwater aquariums,I just started off and i have around 15 pounds of live rock I was wonderning how long does it take to see some growth on my live rock?

 

[rbell219]

What kind of growth are you asking/looking for?

 

[Germanman]

usually depends on the rock u got and how far u are in cycle. could be weeks or months

 

[missc4]

I have just set of the tank a week ago..so i know it will be awhile..But when I bought the rock there were little red plant type things growing on it and they haven't died off.So I guess that is good.
I am new in to the cycle,havn't had an ammonia peak yet,but I am keeping a close eye on it.

 

[lotuskid]

The red plant things will probably be some kind of macro algae.

Keep watching your tank. I was seeing things growing almost from day one. My tank has been running for about two month now and i can't keep up with the finds.

 

[missc4]

Thank you.I am excited to see new things growing.There was also some things that look like large scales on the rock,no idea what they are either but nothing has died off yet that I can tell.
I added three damsels to that tank and they are doing very well.I have a 4 striped damsel {she rules the tank} a yellow tail blue damsel{he is easy going} and a domino damsel {she runs the blue damsel}
After I get more relaxed with the tank I am gonna do corals in it.Right now i am going slow and trying not to panic to much..I get up every morning and do a head count..lol.

 

[Reefscape]

With all due respect, your tank has only been running for about a week, and you have 3 fish in there already? Do you realise that the fish will probably go through hell and probably suffer ammonia poisoning and burned gills? Sorry, but, i just wanted to bring to light the stark reality of what it is like for a fish that is in a tank that has only just been started. You really need to gte the fish out of the tank asap and take the fish back to the store where you brought them from and either get your money back or get store credit for them....

There are many many ways to cycle a fish tank without hurting a soul..There is a sticky at the start of the newbie section regarding cycling methods..Yes, the fish cycling is on there, but purely for reference purposes only..Even though myself and a college wrote the article, we by no means endorse this method...

I know this post may come across as being rude and short, but i just wanted to raise this issue that appears so many times, even now..

If you take offence by this, i really do appologise as i do not mean it to be like that...

Niko

 

[darthgoby]

I wanted to add one thing about cycling with damsels. Good freakin luck in ever getting them out once your tank is established.

Without knowing any better, I added some chromis while my tank was cycling. Even as some of the nicer damsel type fish, they occassionally are mean to other fish in the tank. There is one chromi, believe it or not, who is kind of mean to the other fish.

I have tried to trap them, net them, plastic bags, etc. I discovered that I have created an elaborate cave system with my live rock where they go hide when I try and net them. I don't want to take the tank down because I have a nice population of inverts too which I don't want to disturb.

I thought I didn't have to worry about it since the fish store told me they wouldn't last. My "throwawy" fish are some of the most resilient pets I own.

So you might think, so what if you can't get them out. The problem then is one of opportunity cost. The damsels will take up space that other, more interesting fish would occupy. Some of the ones you've chosen are also pretty aggressive, especially to newer fish.

Now is the perfect time to trade them back into the store. There are so many other fish out there are good to look at and are more friendly to other fish.

 

[Germanman]

I wanted to add one thing about cycling with damsels. Good freakin luck in ever getting them out once your tank is established.

Without knowing any better, I added some chromis while my tank was cycling. Even as some of the nicer damsel type fish, they occassionally are mean to other fish in the tank. There is one chromi, believe it or not, who is kind of mean to the other fish.

I have tried to trap them, net them, plastic bags, etc. I discovered that I have created an elaborate cave system with my live rock where they go hide when I try and net them. I don't want to take the tank down because I have a nice population of inverts too which I don't want to disturb.

I thought I didn't have to worry about it since the fish store told me they wouldn't last. My "throwawy" fish are some of the most resilient pets I own.

So you might think, so what if you can't get them out. The problem then is one of opportunity cost. The damsels will take up space that other, more interesting fish would occupy. Some of the ones you've chosen are also pretty aggressive, especially to newer fish.

Now is the perfect time to trade them back into the store. There are so many other fish out there are good to look at and are more friendly to other fish.

good warning ....when the plastic bag with food doesnt work a crayfish hook on fishing line is the only way im afraid.

also i agree with Niko that u shoudnt have added that many fish yet. never rush in saltwater

 

[missc4]

I know they will be hard to catch and yes I know alot of people do not like cycling with fish,I can not say I am a fan of it myself.But I am just doing as the petstore told me to do..They have been very helpful helping me set the tank up.Gave me there home numbers so I can call and ask questions.
The fish are doing great,,big eaters,I have not had an ammonia spike yet,,I have no idea when that will happen.