"New" old system

[JPergamo]

Hi all, new to the forum.
I have recently gotten that old itch to re- start my 180 gallon reed system with a 75 gal sump. I had it for a few years then about 5 years ago I couldn't afford the maintenance and switched to african cichlids. As you all know, there is no comparison and I am super excited to get a reef going again.
Sorry for the long intro, my question is this: I have all of my rock that has been in the cichlid tank for years that was once live. Once it is all cleaned and the system is re- done and running, at what point should I add a few pieces of live rock to begin to seed the tank? Can I add the new live rock to the system right away to let it cycle? It's been a long time and any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Zack33]

You will want to be very careful using your old rock, if it has been in with the cichlids for a long time, it will have absorbed a lot of phosphates and such. Look up "old tank syndrome" online and give it a read, I'd be almost afraid you might get that out of your old rock. Another thing, I assume you never treated your cichlids for any type of disease or anything, however if you did....don't use that rock either.

Honestly for peace of mind I would look into buying all new dry rock, and then add in a couple of pieces of live rock.

Anyways, to answer your question: You can add the live rock as soon as you have water in the tank and there is a bit of flow.

 

[JPergamo]

You will want to be very careful using your old rock, if it has been in with the cichlids for a long time, it will have absorbed a lot of phosphates and such. Look up "old tank syndrome" online and give it a read, I'd be almost afraid you might get that out of your old rock. Another thing, I assume you never treated your cichlids for any type of disease or anything, however if you did....don't use that rock either.

Honestly for peace of mind I would look into buying all new dry rock, and then add in a couple of pieces of live rock.

Anyways, to answer your question: You can add the live rock as soon as you have water in the tank and there is a bit of flow.

That is terrible news, but I greatly appreciate the response. Would there be any way to treat my rock for the phosphates? I have so much and I didnt plan on buying a huge bulk again, but I will if it is absolutely necessary

 

[JPergamo]

You will want to be very careful using your old rock, if it has been in with the cichlids for a long time, it will have absorbed a lot of phosphates and such. Look up "old tank syndrome" online and give it a read, I'd be almost afraid you might get that out of your old rock. Another thing, I assume you never treated your cichlids for any type of disease or anything, however if you did....don't use that rock either.

Honestly for peace of mind I would look into buying all new dry rock, and then add in a couple of pieces of live rock.

Anyways, to answer your question: You can add the live rock as soon as you have water in the tank and there is a bit of flow.

Also, no I have never had to treat anything that has been in the tank thankfully.

 

[Zack33]

I do know some people use certain treatments on dry rock to basically clean it, honestly I have no idea whether or not it would help with phosphates but I bet it wouldn't hurt either way.

Everything from an acid bath, to boiling, to vinegar baths all work and are commonly used, try researching each of them (all have their differences), however I would imagine you will find that the acid bath with a good rinse would serve you best. I think it is better safe than sorry, you never know what bacteria or microorganisms could be growing in the rock from the cichlid tank that might have bad effects within a saltwater tank.

It is of course easiest and safest to just get new dry rock, however with a bit of time I'm sure you would be fine! Running phosphate removing media and carbon is also going to help reduce any effects you might find (biopellets or something similar would work perfectly too).

The key you want to go for is eliminating/minimizing any risk of something going bad. No point in setting up the tank and then in a couple of months/a year and many battles with algae or something else latter having to start over again (no fun in that, unless you get to upgrade then too lol).

 

[JPergamo]

I do know some people use certain treatments on dry rock to basically clean it, honestly I have no idea whether or not it would help with phosphates but I bet it wouldn't hurt either way.

Everything from an acid bath, to boiling, to vinegar baths all work and are commonly used, try researching each of them (all have their differences), however I would imagine you will find that the acid bath with a good rinse would serve you best. I think it is better safe than sorry, you never know what bacteria or microorganisms could be growing in the rock from the cichlid tank that might have bad effects within a saltwater tank.

It is of course easiest and safest to just get new dry rock, however with a bit of time I'm sure you would be fine! Running phosphate removing media and carbon is also going to help reduce any effects you might find (biopellets or something similar would work perfectly too).

The key you want to go for is eliminating/minimizing any risk of something going bad. No point in setting up the tank and then in a couple of months/a year and many battles with algae or something else latter having to start over again (no fun in that, unless you get to upgrade then too lol).

Thanks again, I'm going to do the acid bath for the rock, I have been reading a lot about it and seems that it should cure most of the potential issues I could face. Basically turns it back into pure base rock.