Dry rock seeding

[zachlasze]

Hi guys, apologies if this isn’t the thread I should be under, but I didn’t really know where else this would fit. Anyway here’s my question:

So I am moving soon and since I will be breaking down my tank and setting it back up I took the opportunity to create a new aquascape with dry rock before my move.

My tank have been up and running for 3 years and as far as pod populations/parameters/beneficial bacteria. Everything is “perfect” even though that doesn’t exist. Which brings me to my concern of introducing the new aquascape “unseeded” or cycled.

My original plan was that built the aquascape so that it comes apart in 3 separate solid pieces for movement maintenance what have you. And before the move I was planning on putting the rocks in a 45g brand new plastic storage bin and doing a water change on my tank and taking the discarded water and running that in the plastic bin to cycle the new rock in my current water. The bin will have a pump and heater. And I will keep the lid on (ajar for oxygen) to avoid light entering and causing any growth as I will not be doing any actual maintenance besides the occasional top off.

But now I’m concerned about a possible phosphate spike in the bin due to the plastic. Is that a concern? What other concerns come to mind with my current plan? Also reference photos can be found below.

 

[Subsea]

Not aware of phosphate leaching from plastic.

“Everything is “perfect” even though that doesn’t exist.
What does this mean?

Will you be moving original substrate & rock? If so, I see little point in inoculating new rock.

 

[jonelder68]

I did the same thing but ordered some Tampa Bay Saltwater treasure box of base live rock to seed my DT aquascape rocks. Worked just fine TBS live rock then went into my refugium.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I've cycled rocks in plastic totes many times, I don't use a lid, ambient light is fine. I cycle the rocks and even add a damsel, I find that 3 months is perfect to avoid algae growth once light is added.

I never thought of plastic leaching phosphate, but I think it would be easy enough to test and track. I've even dumped half a bottle of lanthenum into these totes to immediately drop the phosphate level.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’d use a little sand or a rock from the old tank, not just water. I’d use a brute can that is rinsed out and there should be no problems from that. I’d add a small amount of fish food

 

[zachlasze]

Not aware of phosphate leaching from plastic.

“Everything is “perfect” even though that doesn’t exist.
What does this mean?

Will you be moving original substrate & rock? If so, I see little point in inoculating new rock.

The perfect comment was my poor attempt at a joke.

But yes I will be moving original substrate and keeping as much original water as possible during the move.