Cycling and curing new rock, live and dry. Advice?

flyingfish · Oct 8, 2013

I am setting up a new 90 gal tank. I have an established smaller tank with live rock that I will transfer over that does not need to cure. I am adding lots of dry rock to make a specific arch design. I am also adding 2 large pieces of live rock from old coral, it is very open. I want to make sure I prepare everything well. Please advise on cycling new live rock, specifically to get rid of hitchhikers. Also, how do I prep my dry rock to lessen cycling time in the new tank?

I have my new LR in a bin with a couple powerheads and heater. 1.023 no light. How often do you change the water?

Thanks!!

CoralMD · Oct 8, 2013

Why don't you use the lr in the bin to help the cycle on the 90? Even with cured lr a new tank is still in need to cycle. As for hitchhikers best way to heavily inspect. When you about ready to put in tank put a light over to help some things expose their selves a lil easier. Now for water change on the curing rock check the ammonia lvl every few days if it spikes high change it. Hth

flyingfish · Oct 9, 2013

Thanks!

Reefing Madness · Oct 9, 2013

The dry rock being in with live rock, won't need cycling time, as there isn't going to be any die off, but you could add a few punds every couple of weeks to the tank, to let everything acclimate over time.
To get rid of hitch hickers, you need just to fill a bucket with a very high salinity water, the critters will jump ship per say. But if you want to kill off any possible Aiptasia, then I'd bleach the rock.