Curing Rock Question

[SaltyB24]

I will be upgrading my tank next year and will be doubling my current size.
I would like to create a cool scape with some dry rock cemented together and get it curing so when I get the new tank that is already done.
If I put it in a tub once it was cemented together and threw a heater and shrimp in with a wave maker would that be sufficient? How often would I need to do a water change? I’m assuming it’s the same principle as cycling a tank? I don’t want to add bottled bacteria since I will have ample time to get it to cure. Then a couple months out I would buy some more aquacultered live rock (I love love love my KP rock!) to add to the tub and throw a light on it to get some coralline growth started.
When you cure dry rock do you typically have algae issues?

 

[Rmckoy]

There are many posts regarding making , cementing and curing rocks . Years ago I had access to tons of man Made rocks for cheap .
so I looked into it to make myself .
Essentially …. You’re making a mold on sand . And mixing Portland cement , oyster shells using course salt that will eventually dissolve to make the surface texture we look for .

curing for many reasons to remove 1) lime from the concrete and to dissolve the salt .

frequent water changes would be required .
but after it’s clean , adding shrimp as a ammonia source to start cycling .

as you’re not making your own rocks but cementing them together , is there reef safe cement you’re planning to use ?

 

[92Miata]

You don't need to go through the whole shrimp and cycle part. Just grab some rubble from your current tank, throw it in the barrel, and you're fine.

 

[Jedi1199]

So I am planning a tank upgrade in the next few weeks. I will be going from a 55g to a 135. I have a box of about 50# of dry rock that I purchased a couple months back. I am thinking I would like to cure the rock as a means of battling algae issues after the new tank is set up. I have more than enough rock in my 55 to easily skip-cycle the 135 even if I add the new dry rocks directly from the box.

My question is, does curing the new dry rock help prevent algal bloom? My current 55 is VERY heavily stocked with both fish and corals and I believe that they outcompete the algae. I have been virtually algae free for months.

I fear that adding in 50 pounds of new bright white rocks, as well as more than doubling my footprint and tripling my water volume will allow the algae to get a foothold again. Not a battle I am eager to fight again.