Marco Dry rock

[Venzzla]

Is it OK to place this into a new setup that has not been cycled yet? I have about 40lbs going into a 40 gallon breeder. Also, is it OK to add the rock after the live sand and water are in the tank. I know preferably its better to add the rock first but I have to wait on the rock to be shipped. I also will use expoxy to keep it together. Thanks

 

[tupes]

Yes safe to add. Sand, Rock then water. So that way you are not worried about the water overflowing when adding rocks.

 

[Flippers4pups]

You will essentially be "curing and cycling" at the same time. That's okay, but it may take a little longer to cycle or maybe not.

I did my current system that way and it turned out just fine.

Word of caution you need to test P04 with uncured Marco rock. It may leach some for awhile. Mine did. Not bad and nothing a little GFO couldn't handle.

 

[Venzzla]

You will essentially be "curing and cycling" at the same time. That's okay, but it may take a little longer to cycle or maybe not.

I did my current system that way and it turned out just fine.

Word of caution you need to test P04 with uncured Marco rock. It may leach some for awhile. Mine did. Not bad and nothing a little GFO couldn't handle.

I had planned on adding some ammonium chloride and turbo start 900 to "speed" things up. Just curious how long did it take you to get the PO4 down? Is it ok to use phosguard or is there something better?

 

[Flippers4pups]

I had planned on adding some ammonium chloride and turbo start 900 to "speed" things up. Just curious how long did it take you to get the PO4 down? Is it ok to use phosguard or is there something better?

It depends on the amount of rock and water volume. So I can't answer that. Each is different. Phosguard would work. I would advise that you add some established rock from someone's system or LFS to your dry rock. You will need that extra biodiversity in bacteria to help seed the dry rock. Bottle bacteria isn't going to supply all that.

Preferably rock with coralline algae on it.

Dead, dry start up systems take longer to establish.

 

[Venzzla]

It depends on the amount of rock and water volume. So I can't answer that. Each is different. Phosguard would work. I would advise that you add some established rock from someone's system or LFS to your dry rock. You will need that extra biodiversity in bacteria to help seed the dry rock. Bottle bacteria isn't going to supply all that.

Preferably rock with coralline algae on it.

Dead, dry start up systems take longer to establish.

I am adding 40 lbs of live rock to help speed things up..maybe Ill buy a piece of live rock as well..thanks!

 

[Flippers4pups]

I am adding 40 lbs of live rock to help speed things up..maybe Ill buy a piece of live rock as well..thanks!

You should be good then.

 

[Venzzla]

I am adding 40 lbs of live rock to help speed things up..maybe Ill buy a piece of live rock as well..thanks!

oops that was supposed to say I am buying 40 lbs of live sand, maybe I'll buy a piece of live rock as well...

 

[Flippers4pups]

You should.

 

[Venzzla]

Also LFS owner told me that he would scrap a bunch of coralline algae off for me so I could help seed the tank, I'm thinking this would be very beneficial?