New tank , live rock

[xslimzx]

I’m in the process of setting up a new tank. I am still filling it up with rodi water. It is a 215g, I have live rocks (it’s a lot, about a 40g brute trash can full) that has been sitting in a garage for 2 weeks that isnt running a/c. The live rocks came from an established tank not sure for how long but it had a lot of organisms growing on it.

My question is since I am cycling the tank, can I just put the rocks in and let the process do its own thing? Or should I cure it in a brute trash can? Also I have rocks from my old tank, if I take those rocks and put it with the live (old) rocks in the tank would it ruin the bacteria on them that is already established?

Also how bad would the smell be in the house? TIA

 

[littlefoxx]

I’m in the process of setting up a new tank. I am still filling it up with rodi water. It is a 215g, I have live rocks (it’s a lot, about a 40g brute trash can full) that has been sitting in a garage for 2 weeks that isnt running a/c. The live rocks came from an established tank not sure for how long but it had a lot of organisms growing on it.

My question is since I am cycling the tank, can I just put the rocks in and let the process do its own thing? Or should I cure it in a brute trash can? Also I have rocks from my old tank, if I take those rocks and put it with the live (old) rocks in the tank would it ruin the bacteria on them that is already established?

Also how bad would the smell be in the house? TIA

Do the rocks smell really bad?

 

[xslimzx]

Do the rocks smell really bad?

I’m not sure yet. Going to get them tomorrow. Let’s assume it does. Since it’s in a garage in Texas heat. Highs have mid 80s max.

If it doesn’t stink? Can I assume it’s safe to add into tank to cycle?

 

[littlefoxx]

I’m not sure yet. Going to get them tomorrow. Let’s assume it does. Since it’s in a garage in Texas heat. Highs have mid 80s max

Maybe someone else can chime in but Ive heard that is a sign of dying bacteria on the rocks and other organisms. I cant smell (ever since I was a kid) so Ive got no idea how bad they would need to smell to ID that vs what I assume would be a normal live rock smell

 

[xslimzx]

Maybe someone else can chime in but Ive heard that is a sign of dying bacteria on the rocks and other organisms. I cant smell (ever since I was a kid) so Ive got no idea how bad they would need to smell to ID that vs what I assume would be a normal live rock smell

Yeah I understand curing it if my tank was already cycled but since my tank is just setting up and it needs to be cycled I was trying to see if it’s okay to just put it into tank to cycle

 

[littlefoxx]

Yeah I understand curing it if my tank was already cycled but since my tank is just setting up and it needs to be cycled I was trying to see if it’s okay to just put it into tank to cycle

Yeah that I dont know. @EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal might know, she has done a lot of tank set ups and transfers

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yeah that I dont know. @EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal might know, she has done a lot of tank set ups and transfers

Haven't done that many, lol.
Yes, as long as there is no livestock in the tank, you may as well kill 2 birds and put the rock in the tank to cure/cycle.

 

[xslimzx]

Haven't done that many, lol.
Yes, as long as there is no livestock in the tank, you may as well kill 2 birds and put the rock in the tank to cure/cycle.

So should be fine to throw it in there? Will the smell be bad though?

 

[steveschuerger]

Maybe scrub rocks down to get rid of dead stuff as much as possible and then throw it in to cycle. Minimize the decay issues that way and hopefully won’t smell (as bad or at all). I moved a bunch of rocks from a nano that had been sitting for longer and scrubbed them down and put them in my up and running 90 with no issues.

 

[TX_REEF]

Also if it smells bad you can run some activated carbon to help de-stink the water.

 

[xslimzx]

Maybe scrub rocks down to get rid of dead stuff as much as possible and then throw it in to cycle. Minimize the decay issues that way and hopefully won’t smell (as bad or at all). I moved a bunch of rocks from a nano that had been sitting for longer and scrubbed them down and put them in my up and running 90 with no issues.

Okay will do some scrubbing and then toss them in. Should I wait until the tank is fully set up with sump plumbed or can just go ahead and toss in rocks now after rinsing and scrubbing. RODI won’t finish filling up until about another 2-3 days.

 

[xslimzx]

Also if it smells bad you can run some activated carbon to help de-stink the water.

Going to try this too. Maybe will just throw carbon in advance just for preemptive measures for the smell problem.

 

[brandon429]

Were your rocks in moving water in the garage, or stilled was curious

Also, post a clear light picture of them

 

[steveschuerger]

Okay will do some scrubbing and then toss them in. Should I wait until the tank is fully set up with sump plumbed or can just go ahead and toss in rocks now after rinsing and scrubbing. RODI won’t finish filling up until about another 2-3 days.

As long as the rock is covered after working on it and has some circulation so it doesn’t go stagnant. Also maybe keep water the proper temp .

 

[xslimzx]

As long as the rock is covered after working on it and has some circulation so it doesn’t go stagnant. Also maybe keep water the proper temp .

Okay thanks will do that. One last question, I have more rocks sitting in another tank. If I transfer some of those rocks and put them next to the dry live rocks will it ruin the good bacteria that was my other tank? Would it be okay to add them together to help speed up the cycle or just wait until the tank is cycled then add the other rocks from my other tank.

 

[xslimzx]

Were your rocks in moving water in the garage, or stilled was curious

Also, post a clear light picture of them

Nope it’s just sitting dry in totes at my friend’s storage unit that has no ventilation. No pics at the moment.

 

[steveschuerger]

Okay thanks will do that. One last question, I have more rocks sitting in another tank. If I transfer some of those rocks and put them next to the dry live rocks will it ruin the good bacteria that was my other tank? Would it be okay to add them together to help speed up the cycle or just wait until the tank is cycled then add the other rocks from my other tank.

No. Should be fine. Honestly the more the merrier.

 

[xslimzx]

No. Should be fine. Honestly the more the merrier.

Got it thanks a lot!

 

[brandon429]

If I had to choose between open-topped and stilled, or capped off + circulated, I'd chose open topped and still every time for sure. that whole rock is pretty much hungry aerobes don't cap off the holding tank

open topped and circulated is ideal, heat isn't bad this is a decent time of year for the job

 

[xslimzx]

If I had to choose between open-topped and stilled, or capped off + circulated, I'd chose open topped and still every time for sure. that whole rock is pretty much hungry aerobes don't cap off the holding tank

open topped and circulated is ideal, heat isn't bad this is a decent time of year for the job

Planning to be open topped, circulated and gonna heat it to 85 degrees. Believe 85 is good according to dr Tims to help with the cycle process? Gonna add some carbon to help incase with the smell. Also gonna take out media from other tank and toss it in there too.