Dry rock question

Alan_J_MN · Jan 15, 2020

I am new to saltwater and reefing and looking for advice. Of which is awesomely plentiful here, but I haven’t found an answer to my situation..

I have been eagerly awaiting delivery of my new 90 gallon tank. However shipping is now delayed and it won’t arrive for another couple weeks. In the meantime, I will have my RODI installed and making water this weekend. Salt and Caribsea dry rock have arrived. Also heater and power heads etc have arrived and ready to go. Thanks to Petco $1 per gallon sale, I also have 2 X 10 gallon and one 20 gallon QT tank. Essentially I have most of the essentials except for the DT, sump and stand.

With the tank delay, and an upcoming 2 week vacation, I will not have it plumbed and filled until late February. I am now thinking I could get a head start on the rock using the 20 gallon tank. I know I could/should also seed with some live rock from my lfs.. but my only lfs within 80 miles is Petco and I don’t think I want to trust their rock.

I’m looking for suggestions on how to kick-start my dry rock before I have a cycling tank. Worth it or not?

Old Fritz · Jan 15, 2020

petco liverock isn't normal liverock. its like concrete. If you want coralline algae getting some live rock is the way to go however if you just beneficial bacteria then you can do that by putting them in a tank and adding something that adds ammonia either fish food, fish, or literally just ammonia.

Hemmdog · Jan 15, 2020

Use a big brute trash can from your hardware store, fill with saltwater, add a pump that is 350gph+ & a heater set to 76-78F. Keep an eye on salinity until you put it in your 90. Super easy

You can do a 50% water change after 3 weeks. Add Dr. T’s One and Only (beneficial bacteria).

Alan_J_MN · Jan 15, 2020

Hemmdog said:
Use a big brute trash can from your hardware store, fill with saltwater, add a pump that is 350gph+ & a heater set to 76-78F. Keep an eye on salinity until you put it in your 90. Super easy You can do a 50% water change after 3 weeks. Add Dr. T’s One and Only (beneficial bacteria).

This is my thought. But do I need an ammonia source too?

vetteguy53081 · Jan 15, 2020

Alan_J_MN said:
This is my thought. But do I need an ammonia source too?

No ammonia source needed until tank is running. I in my last 2 setups added both dry and live rock along wit bacter 7 bacteria in a tub along with heater , blue strip light and power head for two weeks with great water test results in the first few weeks

Hemmdog · Jan 15, 2020

Alan_J_MN said:
This is my thought. But do I need an ammonia source too?

I don’t recall using one, some people do.

Marco S · Jan 15, 2020

Alan_J_MN said:
This is my thought. But do I need an ammonia source too?

I have consistently heard that you need Ammonia or the bacteria dies, but I always wondered how it lives in the bottle for months to years before the expiration date, (or at least weeks to months before use) without dying...

I am following this thread out of curiosity to see what others say.

BeejReef · Jan 15, 2020

Your post says you're starting with dry rock... correct?

Hemmdog nailed it. You'll want a brute can anyhow for either rodi or saltwater storage.
Do like he says and do add an ammonia source if you're looking to start pre-cycling dead dry rock. If it's wet live rock, you don't need to.

If it's just gonna be sitting in the basement or garage for a month, I'd go simple old school with an uncooked cocktail shrimp added every week to ten days and a bacteria in a bottle of your choosing. Crazy high nitrates aren't a concern bc you can dump all that water and the rocks won't be lit in a brute can, so no algae. I'd just get it started. Debatable if it's worth it for a two week head start, but if you run into another week or two of unexpected delay, you might end up with nearly fully cycled rock that's near ready for that first fish. No harm in throwing your sand in the bottom of the tub as well.

If you're really feeling proactive, throw in some expendable ceramic media and any filter pad material you plan to use for your QT. Nice to have cycled material ready for that as well.