Preparing Rock for Upcoming Build

[dangles]

So I'm working on a new build that I'll be starting to assemble in late November, early December...

I've already constructed the aquascape and have it "cooking" in a tub of warmed/circulated seawater. I added some rubble from my current tank to start building the bacterial populations. It will have about 3 months to cook in that dark tub.

My question is this...

How often should I be adding food to the tub to keep the bacteria alive/growing?

And once I have the tank set up, would it be helpful to add bottled bac (Dr. Tim's) since I'll be adding about 10 fish at once (from my current tank) to the new tank? Or should I add the Dr. Tim's to the tub the rock is cooking in now? I realize it's probably not NEEDED, but would it be helpful?

Here's the build-thread for the new tank...
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-she-said-yes-120-gallon-build.1000917/

 

[LavenderTi]

You could add ammonium chloride or the dr Tim’s version on a regular basis. This will feel the nitrifying bacteri.

I’d also check phosphate levels and use lanthum chloride to pull excess phosphates out if your rock is releasing them.