Cycle

[Manicfish84]

I’m starting a new tank (custom 330 gallon) and I wanted to know if I should cycle caribsea life rock in brute cans while I get the tank ordered and all the equipment setup etc which is still several weeks away?

 

[brandon429]

sure go ahead

the rock is painted with bac.

it needs only hydration and time to fully activate. you'll be creating a skip cycle aquarium as linked here:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-microbiology-of-reef-tank-cycling.214618/

when you fill holding container w sw for a couple weeks, and then move the rocks over to DT they're then ready with bac and the new tank doesn't have to recycle as we label group B rock above. it will be ready. the rocks do not have to be spot fed, they required only saltwater to be added and about 12 days. What is not required is adding ammonia, feed, or any extra bac. water + 12 days.

 

[chawalte-qcvux5]

+1 to the above.

 

[Manicfish84]

sure go ahead

the rock is painted with bac.

it needs only hydration and time to fully activate. you'll be creating a skip cycle aquarium as linked here:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-microbiology-of-reef-tank-cycling.214618/

when you fill holding container w sw for a couple weeks, and then move the rocks over to DT they're then ready with bac and the new tank doesn't have to recycle as we label group B rock above. it will be ready. the rocks do not have to be spot fed, they required only saltwater to be added and about 12 days. What is not required is adding ammonia, feed, or any extra bac. water + 12 days.

Do I need to add anything if the rock will be in buckets say 6 months?

 

[brandon429]

No for sure it's ok, anytime bacteria are kept wet they grow, populate and hold course only dryness w stop them. We have a few examples handy of people who stored rocks for three years in vats of water, cycle tested them at the end, still passed :) tough rascals