Curing/Cycling Dry Rock W/ New tank

[leroy_jenkinz]

Im pretty sure i know the answer but i would just like to double check and make sure. Im currently buying some live rock (see attached picture) that was used in a tank but now its been kept dry for about a month. I havent set up my tank yet as i would like a few more pieces of rock and what not. Since i havent cycled my tank yet, can i just cycle all the rocks at once when i set up the tank after giving them a quick wash and scrubbing? or is it reccommend to cure them all then cycle the tank ( im under the impression curing and cycling is almost the same process minus adding the amonia during cycling).

 

[James M]

It is better to cure then cycle because you don’t want the rock leaching phosphate into your tank and have a ton of problems.
Edit: IMO

 

[Ruben's Reef]

You are right. Just do a good cleanup and put all together to cycle.

 

[miPapareef]

The benefits of curing befor cycle is to get all the organic out of the rock without them going in your new system. You don’t have to do it but a lot of people do.

 

[OPtasia]

You can do it either way. What I would do is get a plastic storage bin, then scrub all the crap off the rock and hammer out the shapes I want. Then, i'd cure it all in the storage bin in my garage. Just toss a small powerhead into the bin for some flow, cover the rockwork with salt water, put a vented lid on it and let it cure for two months in the dark in my garage.

Curing it properly is going to prevent a lot of problems and water changes for you if you decide to cure it in the main tank. As all of the tissue and bio mass remaining in the rock dies, rots and cures out, why introduce all of that waste directly into your main tank? Cure the rock in a bin, then when it's properly cured and cycled, add the rock to the main tank and leave the waste in the bin.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Get a Brute trash can a pump and fill the rock and salt water. Let it cure for as long as it takes to get 0 ammonia, 0 no3 and 0 po4. Then add the rock to your tank to cycle the tank wirh clean cured rock. You will have much few algae issues and a stable tank sooner.