Cycling Question

Rhino · Jul 15, 2014

I am in the process of gathering supplies for a new tank. I ordered BRS reef saver rock to use instead of live rock. I have everything except my tank and stand. It will be two weeks before tank shows up and I don't want to start the stand until the tank shows up to make sure measurements are exact. I would like to get a jump on things. Is it possible for me to put the rock in a brute with saltwater, a heater, and a powerhead and then put an ammonia source in to start cycling the rock to build up my bacteria. This way around the time the rock in the brute is cycled the tank should be setup. Then I could setup tank and transfer rock over and the tank should be about good to go correct? The biggest benefit I see is a instead of doing a water change on a large tank at the end of the cycle I just move rock into tank with fresh saltwater. Does this sound right, it's basically like using live rock but with 0 die off.

JOKER · Jul 15, 2014

I believe If I was going to do that I would add some sort of bacteria from the start to help but I would think it should work well. There are several out there, I myself used dr tim one and only with good results.

darron863 · Jul 15, 2014

When usong dry rock you are going to have to cure it anyways best to go ahead and start that in a trash can. You can add ammonia while you cure but even if your cycle is done your rock may not be fully cured. I just set up a tank with reef saver rock and I soaked it in ro for two weeks to make sure no leaching then cured for two weeks in trash can then added to tank and cycled in total took 10 weks to complete cure and cycle.

ShawnSaucier · Jul 15, 2014

You need to really clean your dry rock first. Ive read about doing muratic acid baths first, to really clean out the rock. There are several posts on here about cleaning dry rock, and the phosphates they can leech if not done properly. I didn't clean it properly and had a rough time with algae issues, to the point where I have had to replace all of my rock with live rock. I'm not speaking against dry rock, I just now believe that for the possibility of controlling hitch hikers you are looking at a longer curing and cycle time.
If your rock is very clean, I would definately start cycling it in a trash can or Rubbermaid stock tank. There are several types of bacteria out there that you can add to the saltwater with the rocks. Makes sure you have pumps for flow and a heater to keep tempature. May also add an airstone to help with gas exchange. Throw a table shrimp or two in the bottom of your container and forget about it. Mark your water level to know when to top off with fresh water. And ghost feed.
If you are not in a rush, which I hope you are not, you can really get your rock cycled before you get it in the tank. After a couple of weeks in the stock tank, you can also purchase or obtain from a friend some good clean live rock to throw in to help with seeding the new rock with some bio diverse bacteria ,critters like pods and coralline algae. This also will allow you to build your plumbing and sump area with out being rushed. Get all of your wiring done, ect..
Good luck, and im looking forward to seeing pics of your build. Just be patient, and when you think it's been long enough, give it anorther week or two. There are many amazing tanks out there done with just dry rock, but most have really taken their time with the curing process to eliminate other issues that can occur.

fishroomlady · Jul 15, 2014

well, I think saucier pretty much covered everything

I would cycle the rock ahead of time, you might as well. I would also recommend using some live bacteria (I like microbacter7) with all dry rock. Congrats on getting the new tank!!

Siasl · Jul 15, 2014

Live rock in a brute container works as you described. A few things to add:

Add a raw / uncooked shrimp (put it in a nylon stocking).

Add MB7.

Add top-off water every other day.

Takes 4-6 weeks without MB7. Takes from 3-6 with MB7. I have done this five times in the exact same manner and have gotten different results in total cycle time every time. Although I don't claim to be "exact" in my experiment reproductions (I'm close) - the only thing I can think is the MB7 is "fresh" sometimes and other times it is not. I have started just adding 2/3/4 different bacteria populations to just get it to work. Once you seed it, the bacteria in the air can take care of the rest...

good luck