Dry Rock Addition to Established tank

[zemuss]

Hey guys,

I am thinking about adding some more tonga and other dry pieces I have from other systems that I broke down. if it is dry and I add it to my tank will it cause a "cycle"?

Should I bleach the rocks then add them? What should I clean them in vinegar, bleach?

OR.. Should I just add them directly to the system without any type of cycle?

"Z"

Thought this would be a great beginner topic and its a valid question I have too!

 

[ritter6788]

I would cure it before adding it to your tank. It's really as simple as throwing it in a container with a powerhead and testing until you get 0 ammonia and nitrites and some nitrate reading just like cycling a display. I wouldn't bleach them but you can give them a bath in vinegar if there's old residue you want to remove. Otherwise I wouldn't worry about it and just cycle it. I've seen people do muriatic acid baths before cycling to remove old dead material but I've never tried personally.

 

[BarbH]

I agree with the above, right now I am curing some rock rubble that I will be adding to my main tank, I am using an extra tank right now, but even a rubbermaid tote would work.

 

[zemuss]

Cool thanks! I will do exactly that on my next water change. I need to pull the rock out of storage.