Cycle while I cure.

[Jakepen]

Hey guys, new to reefing. Going to order some rock soon, not live. I've heard I need to cure it? I've read that I should put it in a tub with flow for a couple weeks. I was wondering, while doing this could I grow some BB? Dose the tub with ammonia, maybe add some bacteria. This way when I transfer the rock to my tank, I already have BB in my tank. Which I will still cycle.

 

[Cory]

Most will tell you to cure lr. Me i wouldnt like all those neat things to die off. But the logic is ammonia will rise when living things on the live rock die, and ammonia kills fish fairly quickly.

The solution is to "cure" it. Essentially allowing the dead stiff to die and release ammonia. Then a bacteria that love eating ammonia grow in numbers, reducing it to safe concentrations.

What do you mean grow some bb? Bb ususally refers to bare bottom, which means a tank without sand.

 

[Jakepen]

Oh sorry, the rock will not be live. Also, BB to me meant beneficial bacteria. Oops ha

 

[vic67]

If I'm starting a new tank I just throw the dry rock into the tank; any die off will help the cycle.

 

[Jakepen]

If I'm starting a new tank I just throw the dry rock into the tank; any die off will help the cycle.

Oh really? There isn't anything harmful, or is it just ammonia that will leak into the tank?

 

[Busa1340]

I used dry Pukani soaked it in fresh RO only for a week with flow. Changed that water 3-4 times just to get the loose stuff off and the water was very dark brown. After 3-4 times changing water threw the week put the rock right in the tank. I'm in day 22 and ammonia is almost gone. Very high at first this was my idea of curing/cycle at the same time. The dead stuff left over will kick start your cycle.

 

[vic67]

any die off will turn into ammonia and that, will feed your bacteria.

 

[Diesel]

Some what of truth here...........
Yes you can throw it in the tank and start the cycle the same day.
The cycle process will be done before the rock cured which will later happen and we speak of leaching phosphate out the rock for a while.
I cases that ppl already added livestock in the form of fish, critters (CUC's) and corals.
HA will pop up and treatment will be hard.
I do cure rock in a trash can or vat with a skimmer to pull out most of the stuff that is soaking out the rock.
Mean while you read up about https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tips-and-tricks-on-creating-amazing-aquascapes.97209/
Don't forget to make testing your tank your own, start with the water where your rock cures in.

 

[Jakepen]

Some what of truth here...........
Yes you can throw it in the tank and start the cycle the same day.
The cycle process will be done before the rock cured which will later happen and we speak of leaching phosphate out the rock for a while.
I cases that ppl already added livestock in the form of fish, critters (CUC's) and corals.
HA will pop up and treatment will be hard.
I do cure rock in a trash can or vat with a skimmer to pull out most of the stuff that is soaking out the rock.
Mean while you read up about https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tips-and-tricks-on-creating-amazing-aquascapes.97209/
Don't forget to make testing your tank your own, start with the water where your rock cures in.

I plan on putting my rock in a tote, and curing it. I was wondering if I could start the cycle process while it is in the tote, and have it well cycled before putting it in my tank. Didn't know if this is a common practice?

 

[Diesel]

I plan on putting my rock in a tote, and curing it. I was wondering if I could start the cycle process while it is in the tote, and have it well cycled before putting it in my tank. Didn't know if this is a common practice?

Yes you can but before you add ammonia to the tote let it cure first for a week with a skimmer then shut the skimmer off and add the desired amount of ammonia to cycle.
You can fill the tank and start the cycle without the rock and add the rock later to continue the cycle.
Just take your time cycling and don't rush it.
It all will pay you back later to a beautiful reef.

 

[FlyinBryan]

Ammonia will happen naturally. I put mine in tank, with power head, heater, but not filtering through sump.
Get a large shrimp or a hand full from frozen at lfs and through it in there. This is the most complete,natural, best way to cycle. Ammonia will eventually be broken down but you want it to fully cycled.
Good luck!

 

[Jakepen]

When I have the rock curing, and I want to cycle in the tote. Do I need heat, or light?

 

[Diesel]

When I have the rock curing, and I want to cycle in the tote. Do I need heat, or light?

Heat will help with bacteria but not a necessity as long you stay with in reef temps 76/80.
Light isn't needed to do so, it can just promote algae in this stage.

 

[Jakepen]

Well I'm in Michigan, where its 0 degrees one day, and 60 two days later, literally. I'll get an extra heater for consitnecy.

 

[Jakepen]

Hey guys, also was wondering. Right now I have a tall, narrow tote. If I pile my rock in that, would that be okay? Or would it be more beneficial to get a long tote, and spread the rock out. Also what should I dose with, I was thinking pure ammonia, as opposed to the shrimp.

One more question, I bought 20lbs of live sand, I assumed you dump it right into the tank. Are you suppose to wash it first? And if so, wash in tap water or RO?