Live rock + dry rock cycle

[bernaladriana]

I got a bigger tank with lots of used real Tampa bay, now dry rock. I have a smaller aquarium with about 30lbs of rock that’s been cycling for about 3-4 months, I want to set up the new tank with my 30lbs of rock but I want to use some of the dry rock as well for decoration purposes/ shelves for coral, how would this affect the cycle.. would it be like the first time all over again? Can I add fish immediately or should I still dose ammonia and bacteria again .. ? thanks!

 

[fishywishy]

You should be able to add fish instantly.

 

[Coral Your World]

How much dry rock relative to live rock were you planning to add and is it completely dry, bleached etc. or is it freshly dry? Adding 200lbs of dry rock to 30lbs of live rock vs 10lbs of dry rock to 30 lbs of live rock, are likely going to yield different results. Either way you’re going to have a cycle of some sort.

If it was me, I’d add the rock, add some bacteria, move over some filter media from your existing tank wait a weekish, do a modest water change and then add fish pretty quickly after that.

 

[naterealbig]

You should be able to add fish instantly.

This.

 

[winxp_man]

How much dry rock relative to live rock were you planning to add and is it completely dry, bleached etc. or is it freshly dry? Adding 200lbs of dry rock to 30lbs of live rock vs 10lbs of dry rock to 30 lbs of live rock, are likely going to yield different results. Either way you’re going to have a cycle of some sort.

If it was me, I’d add the rock, add some bacteria, move over some filter media from your existing tank wait a weekish, do a modest water change and then add fish pretty quickly after that.

This right here. It’s an issue when the dry rocks are more than the cycled rocks. Also the old sand will help if are planning on using it in the new tank. As stated any other media bags or media bricks you have in a sump of the old system will help. Then dose bacteria, and fish should be okay. I would not do more than 10lbs of dry rock at a time unless you have more to offer than just the 30lbs of current cycled rock.

Also as time goes you can keep adding. Only thing that sucks is you can’t structure it as you would like with smaller amounts.

Fact remains it can start a cycle of sorts especially if the dry rock out weights the current cycled live rock.

Currently in the process of going from a 120 to a 150 and doing this as of this weekend coming up.

 

[bernaladriana]

How much dry rock relative to live rock were you planning to add and is it completely dry, bleached etc. or is it freshly dry? Adding 200lbs of dry rock to 30lbs of live rock vs 10lbs of dry rock to 30 lbs of live rock, are likely going to yield different results. Either way you’re going to have a cycle of some sort.

If it was me, I’d add the rock, add some bacteria, move over some filter media from your existing tank wait a weekish, do a modest water change and then add fish pretty quickly after that.

This was exactly my plan lol. It’s roughly 30lbs live rock 10lbs unbleached 3month out of the water dry rock. I’ve added media from my tank as well to the aio sump space and bacteria / ghost feeding I was just worried it wouldn’t be enough time.

 

[bernaladriana]

This right here. It’s an issue when the dry rocks are more than the cycled rocks. Also the old sand will help if are planning on using it in the new tank. As stated any other media bags or media bricks you have in a sump of the old system will help. Then dose bacteria, and fish should be okay. I would not do more than 10lbs of dry rock at a time unless you have more to offer than just the 30lbs of current cycled rock.

Also as time goes you can keep adding. Only thing that sucks is you can’t structure it as you would like with smaller amounts.

Fact remains it can start a cycle of sorts especially if the dry rock out weights the current cycled live rock.

Currently in the process of going from a 120 to a 150 and doing this as of this weekend coming up.

Heck yeah good luck! And thanks for the input I really appreciate it!

 

[SliceGolfer]

That 10 pounds of unbleached, previously used rock will have organic matter that will breakdown and contribute to ammonia and phosphate. Maybe keep an eye on those parameters to be sure. Likely not much to worry about but test to be safe.

 

[billyo2811]

Dried “real live rock will establish a lot quicker than the man made stuff as it’s so porous been dead coral. You can always just use your current rock for the display and put the dry stuff in the sump for a week or so and then introduce to the tank.