Keeping rock alive while cooking

[platax88]

Hi all. I had a devastating event when my 330 gallon busted a seam. I put all my rock in a covered bin until repairs are made and The new tank is up. Currently it is nice and clean and the water show no nutrients. I would like to avoid a cycle when my much smaller new tank is up so want to keep the bacteria population thriving. Should I be feeding any source of ammonia or anything? Should I be seeding it further. Please advice on what you would do as it looks like I have another month before floors are in. Please advice

 

[madweazl]

I read an article recently that indicated there was no need; wish I could remember where I saw it. Hopefully it was posted here and somebody else will remember the title.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Keep the circulation going, no need to feed.

Throw a small heater in there to keep in roughly in range.

 

[Doclight]

I agree. Just keep it warm and keep salinity up.. Should be fine.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Dead organisms from the rocks crushing things are probably adding plenty of nutrients.

 

[platax88]

Thanks all. Would it be a good idea to drop a bottle of dr tims or similar the week before setting up the new tank to saturate the rock with bacteria strains?

 

[platax88]

and while I have your attention. I have dry Tropic Eden sand but is it better to use live bagged sand? Would it help with avoiding the diatom and algae stages of ugly new sand?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I think some extra bacteria is a fine thing to use. I'm not sure if it is needed, but it is unlikely to hurt.

Dry sand is fine to start with. I don't know if live sand helps avoid anything.

 

[Doclight]

Live sand just jump starts bacteria colony..

 

[Jongalt26]

Is there a dry or dead sand that doesnt require rinsing? I just set up another remote deep sand bed and it took a LOOONG time to do just three 30# bags, and hundreds of gallons of water....
While i couldnt use live sand in this situation, i certainly vowed to avoid sand that requires rinsing if at all possible lol.