Adding new dry rock to established tank

[Jake_the_reefer]

I was at my lfs and I saw a chunk of dry rock I avsolutly had to have for my 20g tank. I already have about 13lbs of livestock already in it and this rock is 2.3lbs would it be safe to just put it in after a bleach cleaning and wire brush scrubbing or should I cure it? I'd hate to have to run a dedicated cycle for one small rock to go into my tank but I dont want to push it

 

[Hemmdog]

Hmmm. That’s a tough call. You’d most likely be ok putting it right in if your tank is mature. Best practice would be to cycle it at least until there’s no more ammonia.

 

[Peace River]

Hmmm. That’s a tough call. You’d most likely be ok putting it right in if your tank is mature. Best practice would be to cycle it at least until there’s no more ammonia.

+1

Although I'm sure that you will find plenty who tell you to add the rock now, I would lower my risks and cycle the rock because of the size and age (it is newer if I remember correctly). Good luck!

 

[ScottR]

I’ve done this before. My dry rock was clean. I soaked in pure water and nothing came off of it. Just a bit of dust in the water. Used a tooth brush and no debris. Then added it to a 5 gallon bucket of saltwater with a powerhead for a few days and then added them in.

Is there any visible dirt or anything inside it?

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I would swish it around in some fresh water just to rinse it and then stick on on in. It should not give you any ammonia issues as it looks clean and dry, and should not alter chemistry as it looks like it was sourced from the ocean (not mined or man made).

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I’ve done this before. My dry rock was clean. I soaked in pure water and nothing came off of it. Just a bit of dust in the water. Used a tooth brush and no debris. Then added it to a 5 gallon bucket of saltwater with a powerhead for a few days and then added them in.

Is there any visible dirt or anything inside it?

No debris from what I can tell. Just live rock dust. I think i will do a test cycle. Put it in a bucket and keep an eye for for ammonia if I test none then I can be sure theres nothing on it.

 

[ScottR]

No debris from what I can tell. Just live rock dust. I think i will do a test cycle. Put it in a bucket and keep an eye for for ammonia if I test none then I can be sure theres nothing on it.

That’s the safe route. But it does look clean but you never know what’s actually inside it. Could be dead crabs, molluscs, etc. For me, I just chanced it.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

That’s the safe route. But it does look clean but you never know what’s actually inside it. Could be dead crabs, molluscs, etc. For me, I just chanced it.

I'll do that! This rock will look so nice I'm thinking a nice round zoa garden

 

[rkpetersen]

Doesn’t hurt to be cautious but adding that rick after a rinse would be no problem at all. There are no organics to decay and hit your tank with a sudden nutrient load. Especially as that rock is pretty solid with few crevices that could trap nutrients.