Adding dry rock to existing aquarium

[ThatPhillyReefer]

I have a 6 month old tank and I want to add some new dry rock structures i’ve made. How do I it without any problems?

I’ve heard I have to “Cycle” the rock before putting it in, how do I do that?

 

[ScottR]

You can add rock in with no problem. No need to cycle dry rock

 

[Pistol Peet]

If it is dry rock fill a bucket with saltwater mix add rock and microbacter7. let it sit there for a few days pull it out and put it in your tank done it several times zero issues. This is of course assuming the dry rock is dry Rock and has no bacterial organisms living on it.

 

[ThatPhillyReefer]

If it is dry rock fill a bucket with saltwater mix add rock and microbacter7. let it sit there for a few days pull it out and put it in your tank done it several times zero issues. This is of course assuming the dry rock is dry Rock and has no bacterial organisms living on it.

could i use fritz turbo start?

 

[Pistol Peet]

could i use fritz turbo start?

Absolutely

 

[polyppal]

As @ScottR said just rinse them thoroughly in RODI and they can go straight in. Soaking in bacteria might assist in some way, but thats anecdotal. So would just dumping another bottle of bacteria in tank...

If the tank is established 6mos you likely dont need to do that.

 

[Pistol Peet]

It is correct there's absolutely no need to cycle them but it only helps with your establishment to go ahead and feed them with beneficial bacteria before putting them in doesn't take a long time to do couple days and there's absolutely no harm in doing so

 

[dbowman5]

i am curious about your statement that the new rock are structures you have made. what is the rock that you used to make the structures?

 

[ThatPhillyReefer]

i am curious about your statement that the new rock are structures you have made. what is the rock that you used to make the structures?

i used marco dry rock.

I have a rock structure in my tank now but i want to add more to it so i made a little arch with left over rock

 

[Pistol Peet]

i used marco dry rock.

I have a rock structure in my tank now but i want to add more to it so i made a little arch with left over rock

I would definitely add live bacteria to a bucket for a day or 2 then add to tank good rock no worries.

 

[dbowman5]

i used marco dry rock.

I have a rock structure in my tank now but i want to add more to it so i made a little arch with left over rock

that should be ok, some rocks have been known to leach out salts when they are subjected to SW including some DIY created rock

 

[lakai]

Just put it in. Just know that those pieces will have to go through all the phases that all new rock goes through

 

[ScottR]

So basically, cycling would be establishing a colony of bacteria for your nitrogen cycle. If your current system is already set up and completely cycled, dry rock should not throw your cycle off. In fact you’re adding more surface area for bacteria. I liken this to adding in bio bricks, siporax, matrix, etc. I’m sure most people put their media directly into their tanks. I’ve added dry rock in to many tanks. I just made sure I cleaned them with RODI. I never soaked or added in bottled bacteria. In fact, I added in a Tonga branch arch last week or so. My tangs were picking at it today, so I’m sure algae is starting to grow on it and it’s becoming part of my reef. So... do you need to cycle dry rock? No. Should it be completely clean? Yes. Here’s the arch I’ve just added with the mille on top. While it’s not much “dry rock”, I never even thought twice about cycling it.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Dont waste money by dumping in useless bacteria to "cycle" any additional dry rock. Put the rock right in the tank. The bacteria does less than nothing (it cost you $10) and is just more work. Literally wasted money and effort.