Curing dry rock and adding live rock

[Redbird5]

I'm cycling my JBJ 45 and I ordered dry rock. I've read that iI should cure the rock before adding it to my aquarium. My aquarium has live sand and water. When my rock comes tomorrow will it be OK to add the rock in the aquarium? Will it prolong the cycle? The aquarium has been cycling for 6 days. There's no fish or inverts in the aquarium. I've been adding bacteria daily. I have biomedia in the filtration, about 30 -40 pounds worth more. I'm intending to add rock slowly as my budget allows. I do intend to add actual live rock as well. I'm uncertain about when to do that since I'm adding dry rock.

 

[PPBlimpy]

You would be fine to ad the rock but yes it will prolong the cycle. But if you have no rock currently there is nothing to really cycle.

personally , i would find a local reefer that you could purchase a small rock and a little sand from for a couple bucks and ad that. i generally do this from a couple different tanks to get some diversity.

understand you can get hitch hikers and other unwanted things but in my experience the good far outways the bad

 

[Fish Fan]

Could you tell us more about how you're cycling, and specifically what you're using for an ammonia source? To cycle a tank, you need to add more than just bacteria, you need to add a source of ammonia from something like Dr. Tim's ammonium chloride, a piece of shrimp from the seafood market, or by feeding fish food in the absence of fish (ghost feeding). Without the ammonia, the cycle won't start.

You can cycle your tank without rock, the bacteria will populate on the sand and the bio media you have (I'm assuming in your sump? Some kind of blocks?).

If by live sand you used CaribbSea sand-in-a-bag please know that's not really live sand like live sand from a mature system or maricultured sand from the ocean. Think of it more like dry sand with some bottled bacteria.

In theory, you can add dry rock no problem. In practice, some dry rocks have a lot of organics that can lead to an ammonia and phosphate spike when first submerged. If that's the case, then it may be best to cycle the rock before adding it to your tank. But with no livestock yet, I'd add the rock and leave the lights off, and let it cycle naturally in the tank, which may take many weeks.

Good luck!

 

[Redbird5]

I'm using ammonia. I'm uncertain about the brand because I got it from my LFS for free. It was a couple of caps full.

 

[Fish Fan]

I'm using ammonia. I'm uncertain about the brand because I got it from my LFS for free. It was a couple of caps full.

That's good, but you need to add ammonia at regular intervals throughout the cycle, and you need to be testing the ammonia level to keep it at about 2.0 ppm. Do you have an ammonia test kit?

 

[Redbird5]

Yes,I have the APi, that everyone hates. How often do I need to add ammonia to the aquarium?

 

[Fish Fan]

Yes,I have the APi, that everyone hates. How often do I need to add ammonia to the aquarium?

API isn't horrible, it just has some peculiarities. It's fine to cycle your tank.

Take a look at this write up and corresponding video, it should explain a fish-less cycle better than I can :-)
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/brstv-product-spotlight-dr-tims-one-and-only

 

[PPBlimpy]

Yes,I have the APi, that everyone hates. How often do I need to add ammonia to the aquarium?

you will need to ad daily, and I generally test every other day for the first week and then daily after that til i know the ammonia is being processed

 

[Redbird5]

you will need to ad daily, and I generally test every other day for the first week and then daily after that til i know the ammonia is being processed

I test the water daily. Do I need to add ammonia daily, in addition to bacteria daily? I add bacteria daily. I don't have ammonia.

 

[Fish Fan]

I test the water daily. Do I need to add ammonia daily, in addition to bacteria daily? I add bacteria daily. I don't have ammonia.

Friend, please read what I linked above, they explain it step by step.

 

[PPBlimpy]

yes ammonia should be added daily, simulates the biproduct of having fish in the tank. The bacteria does not need to be added daily.

you will have to go by the directions of how much ammonia to ad for your tanks gallons, then test the next day to see if it has gone down and being converted to nitrite and then nitrate

 

[Redbird5]

yes ammonia should be added daily, simulates the biproduct of having fish in the tank. The bacteria does not need to be added daily.

you will have to go by the directions of how much ammonia to ad for your tanks gallons, then test the next day to see if it has gone down and being converted to nitrite and then nitrate

Well my LFS said they opposite. That I need to add bacteria every day buy not ammonia. Now I'm confused.

 

[Fish Fan]

Well my LFS said they opposite. That I need to add bacteria every day buy not ammonia. Now I'm confused.

You're LSF is incorrect, they just want to sell you the bacteria. Please listen to R2R, I promise you'll do better :-)

Here's Dr. Tim's step-by-step, maybe this will help:
https://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/fishless-cycling/

 

[Redbird5]

My lfs also said it was fine to have a 2.5 gallon aquarium. I've had a rough introduction with in this hobby. I'm finally understanding what I need to do. Thankfully, I live in a decent sized city and I can find other LFS.

 

[Fish Fan]

My lfs also said it was fine to have a 2.5 gallon aquarium. I've had a rough introduction with in this hobby.

There's nothing wrong with a 2.5 gallon aquarium, per se, it just may need some more attention. Generally, it's said that larger tanks are more stable, therefore easier for beginners.

A JBJ 40 gallon is a great tank and size to start with. Stick to R2R, we'll get you headed the right way :)

Let's try to get some other eyes on this, to give you some reassurance:
#reefsquad

Any of you guys out there want to take a look here for the OP please:
@Mr. Mojo Rising
@Tahoe61
@Lavey29

 

[Redbird5]

I like my 2.5 gallon. It's in my office and I love looking back at it to see my coral or shrimp or fish are doing. Any help I can get will be appreciated! I'm trying to learn everything I can.

 

[Fish Fan]

I like my 2.5 gallon. It's in my office and I love looking back at it to see my coral or shrimp or fish are doing. Any help I can get will be appreciated! I'm trying to learn everything I can.

So that's great! You have an established tank, your new 40 gallon is no different. Just remember that your LFS is likely well meaning, buy they want to make sales. No one at R2R is trying to sell you anything :)

 

[Redbird5]

So that's great! You have an established tank, your new 40 gallon is no different. Just remember that your LFS is likely well meaning, buy they want to make sales. No one at R2R is trying to sell you anything :)

I kept freshwater fish for since I was 10. I wanted a saltwater aquarium since I was in college, but decided that they're too much work for my mom to take care of while I was in school. When I finally got roots I decided that I try saltwater. I've had my 2.5 for a few months and hit a few bumps, a canyon and then decided I'm going to get a bigger aquarium.

I absolutely enjoy this frustrating hobby. I was aggrogant because I have a lot of freshwater experience, but I've found out that I knew enough to be dangerous. With my 45 JBJ I to be careful, because the fish I want some cost $100. Before I invest in them I want to take the time to learn. Instead of jumping into the deep end of things.

 

[Tahoe61]

Hi.

Today I started another tank, an IM 25 gallon. This is how I typically proceed.

1. Live sand.
2. Dry rock, live rock is wonderful but I am REALLY strict about hitchhikers.
3. Add Bacteria in a bottle, for me I use Microbactor7 and or Fluval Cycle.
4. I wait a day or two to start Dr.Tims Ammonium Chloride.
5. Start testing around day 5. Ammonia and Nitrite
6. Once I see nitrite I know I am on the right track. The nitrogen cycle is taking place.
7. I add a couple of drops of ammonium chloride every and test the day after. Once Ammonia is converted I just do a low maintenance dose, and a Microbactor7 maintenance dose daily.
8. Typically by the 3 week mark the tank is completely cycled. BUT I wait to add any fish until day 30. And I do a water change 1st.

Three month old Pico 6 gallons, dry rock.

One day old. Day 1 Bacteria, Plus N/P in 2 days I will start Ammonium. I believe in adding nitrates and phosphates to feed the bacteria is important. Dry rock.

 

[Redbird5]

You're LSF is incorrect, they just want to sell you the bacteria. Please listen to R2R, I promise you'll do better :)

Here's Dr. Tim's step-by-step, maybe this will help:
https://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/fishless-cycling/

The bad news is that if I want ammonia today I have to go to my lfs. Petco and petsmart don't have it. I can go to St. Louis tomorrow, it's not that far.