Cycling dry rock

[theclownshow]

I am building a reef tank with dry rock that I will not be setting up until October.

Since I’m using dry rock I want to get a head start on cycling. I am still building my aquascqpe but I have plenty of extra rock. I’m planning on keeping some in my sump when I set up the tank.

Should I take some of the dry rock and start f yr going it in a bin? That way when I set up the tank I atleast have some rock with a head start?

If so how would I do it? Dose bacteria and ammonia and let it sit?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I cycle my rocks in advance, in a plastic tote. I cycle the rocks, then I add a damsel fish and leave it alone for 3-4 months, in ambient light. Once I add the rocks to the tank they are live rocks and ready for fish and they don't grow algae.

 

[Freenow54]

I Like that approach . I did use dry rock on my second Tank that I started on my own . Here is something just for you Mr. Mojo. Goggle culturedbyscience the shop supplies stores with various things that they grow themselves like Berghia , fish coral ... They advertise " cleaned Live rock ". I am very tempted to try it this time around with my third tank

 

[Abyssara]

Yes. I'd do the dry rock in a five gallon bucket filled with saltwater and dose with Dr. Tim's One & Only and Dr. Tim's Aquatics Ammonium Chloride. Use a powerhead and heater. Then you can test it and maintain it from there. Just don't let the rock dry out when you go to move it.

 

[Nano_Man]

Belin method live rock power heads and a skimmer

 

[Patx]

I Like that approach . I did use dry rock on my second Tank that I started on my own . Here is something just for you Mr. Mojo. Goggle culturedbyscience the shop supplies stores with various things that they grow themselves like Berghia , fish coral ... They advertise " cleaned Live rock ". I am very tempted to try it this time around with my third tank

I just purchase 8lbs... i ask to ship them by the end of july.
Finger cross for the pest!
Going in sump.

 

[slingfox]

If I were you I were seed the container the rock is baking in with some sort of sand or rock from the ocean or mature tank. A relatively economical way to do that is the Caribsea Ocean Direct live sand which is apparently sand from the ocean (different from their other bagged sand which is seeded with bottled bacteria).

 

[Freenow54]

If I were you I were seed the container the rock is baking in with some sort of sand or rock from the ocean or mature tank. A relatively economical way to do that is the Caribsea Ocean Direct live sand which is apparently sand from the ocean (different from their other bagged sand which is seeded with bottled bacteria).

When I get mine I am taking Totes full of Salt Water. From what I read it only has to be kept wet

 

[Freenow54]

I just purchase 8lbs... i ask to ship them by the end of july.
Finger cross for the pest!
Going in sump.

I have no idea how they ship it . You should ask their phone numbers are listed on the website and they are easy to talk to, As to pests they advertise as " clean "

 

[slingfox]

When I get mine I am taking Totes full of Salt Water. From what I read it only has to be kept wet

The reason why folks add live rock from the ocean or an established tank is to seed the container you are baking the dry rock in with microbes which increase the biodiversity. Adding saltwater doesn’t provide that benefit. BRS did a series on various types of dry and live rock setups. One of the tanks was dry rock + saltwater from an established system. That setup performed poorly from a biodiversity and uglies battling perspective.

 

[Freenow54]

The reason why folks add live rock from the ocean or an established tank is to seed the container you are baking the dry rock in with microbes which increase the biodiversity. Adding saltwater doesn’t provide that benefit. BRS did a series on various types of dry and live rock setups. One of the tanks was dry rock + saltwater from an established system. That setup performed poorly from a biodiversity and uglies battling perspective.

Its all going to be " clean " live rock the salt water is to keep the microbes alive during transport . the rock will then be added to my tank which will be full of water , and the water in the totes will be discarded only because its easier to do so off a truck bed in the driveway. My second Tank was dry Rock only and I did a fishless Cycle. . No Disease or unwanted critters . Also BRS has done some very good Videos but have done poorly controlled ones as well so be cautious . I would never transfer Rock. As an example I bought an established Tank and have had it over 30 years . It suddenly got Aiptasia so NO Thanks

 

[Patx]

I have no idea how they ship it . You should ask their phone numbers are listed on the website and they are easy to talk to, As to pests they advertise as " clean "

Just received.
Wrap in wet paper.
Good porosity.

i soaked them for 24 hours in 5 gallons of waste wc.
the PO4 went skyrocket (of the chart).
I did a batch of new water and I'm at 0.2 ppm PO4.

Like they said: "We strive to maintain our systems at 0.05-0.2 PO4 so we should be very much in the same range. The live rock for sale though is isolated and occupies its very own system and does not come in contact with our coral systems."