Pre cycle rock?

[mikebusc]

Hey all I'm in the middle of my new tank build after my 20 year hiatus. Just trying to be proactive since I'm taking this very slowly with my research I was wondering what anybody thought about getting an early start on cycling some live rock mixed with dry. This way when I'm finally ready to fill my tank it's got a head start. If this is doable would I let the rock sit in saltwater in buckets? Would I then when ready transfer it into the new tank with the water they were soaking in or without? Does not transfering the water with the rock defeat the whole purpose? Thanks!

 

[Uncle99]

Simply a great great idea!
Some flow, some water change.
Just the rock when ready. Water doesn’t hold much value, it’s the rocks which have magic.
Let them cook!

 

[mikebusc]

Simply a great great idea!
Some flow, some water change.
Just the rock when ready. Water doesn’t hold much value, it’s the rocks which have magic.
Let them cook!

Will do! Thanks

 

[Uncle99]

Will do! Thanks

Welcome back!
Enjoy your adventure.

 

[Red_Beard]

Simply a great great idea!
Some flow, some water change.
Just the rock when ready. Water doesn’t hold much value, it’s the rocks which have magic.
Let them cook!

Definitely! I did the same, once in a brute can and another time in a cheap aqueon $ per gallon petco tank(buckets will work to). Definitely jump starts things. Compared to the one i did not do that with, these bypassed cyano and diatome blooms, streight to a little green algae phase that passed relatively quickly. Definitely recommend! As above, just make sure you have flow and keep the salinity relatively stable. Good luck on the new tank!

 

[Brett7397]

I put dry marco rock in a brute trash can after I designed my scape. I put a pump and heater and added Dr Tim's to cycle it. Add the ammonia and check nitrates and nitrites. There is a how to on Dr Tim's web site I think.

 

[mfinn]

Hey all I'm in the middle of my new tank build after my 20 year hiatus. Just trying to be proactive since I'm taking this very slowly with my research I was wondering what anybody thought about getting an early start on cycling some live rock mixed with dry. This way when I'm finally ready to fill my tank it's got a head start. If this is doable would I let the rock sit in saltwater in buckets? Would I then when ready transfer it into the new tank with the water they were soaking in or without? Does not transfering the water with the rock defeat the whole purpose? Thanks!

I've cycled rock in brute containers several times.
Rock, water, powerhead, heater and maybe add some bottled bacteria for a bump.
Use new water in the tank.

 

[mikebusc]

Thanks for the ideas all and Merry Christmas! I was thinking that I could use either my return pump or skimmer pump just to move the water around since neither are being used at the moment. Actually didn't even think about the heater. That's why I come here! And if I use LR and some dry rock would I still need a supplement like Dr. Tim's? Is it just an added boost?

 

[twentyleagues]

Thanks for the ideas all and Merry Christmas! I was thinking that I could use either my return pump or skimmer pump just to move the water around since neither are being used at the moment. Actually didn't even think about the heater. That's why I come here! And if I use LR and some dry rock would I still need a supplement like Dr. Tim's? Is it just an added boost?

flow and heat are important. With the live rock I'd say no added bacteria is needed but a little ammonia from whatever source you'd like wouldnt hurt to grow the bacteria on to the dry rock.

 

[mfinn]

Thanks for the ideas all and Merry Christmas! I was thinking that I could use either my return pump or skimmer pump just to move the water around since neither are being used at the moment. Actually didn't even think about the heater. That's why I come here! And if I use LR and some dry rock would I still need a supplement like Dr. Tim's? Is it just an added boost?

The extra bacteria would just be a bump, but not really needed.
Maybe an ammonia source would be a better idea

 

[Red_Beard]

The extra bacteria would just be a bump, but not really needed.
Maybe an ammonia source would be a better idea

Thread 'DIY Ammonia dosing
Get some bakers ammonia and mix it up with some ro, as per above. Works awesome

 

[mikebusc]

Thread 'DIY Ammonia dosing
Get some bakers ammonia and mix it up with some ro, as per above. Works awesome

For some reason I can't open the link.

 

[Red_Beard]

For some reason I can't open the link.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-ammonia-dosing-for-low-nitrate-systems.987087/post-11406161
sorry, try this

 

[I never finish anythi]

Welcome back. Slow is good and established lr and dry will work . Good luck

 

[rtparty]

I cycle my tanks but adding in flake food or pellets and just letting them decay naturally. You’ll want some ammonia and phosphate in the water. Adding in natural food that breaks down also feeds the pods nicely so they start reproducing

 

[mikebusc]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-ammonia-dosing-for-low-nitrate-systems.987087/post-11406161
sorry, try this

That works. Thanks!

 

[ThaBeast]

I put some live rock and some marco in an old QT system I had in a back room of the office. Worked out well, did a few water changes and put some pods in there. Put NLS pellets in once a week. My build is barebottom and I havent had any serious uglies, a bit of green film algae and a bit of hair algae but nothing serious. Last barebottom tank I started all dry, had massive cyano and then massive hair algae. I like this much better

 

[Reeferbadness]

I'm in a similar situation. I have another 4 year old tank and a bunch of old live rock (not live anymore) and was going to add water from other tank on water changes, a small heater and flow and wait 2 weeks or so and then add to the new tank. May add a few pellets to help create some ammonia. Anything else i'm missing here?

 

[mfinn]

I'm in a similar situation. I have another 4 year old tank and a bunch of old live rock (not live anymore) and was going to add water from other tank on water changes, a small heater and flow and wait 2 weeks or so and then add to the new tank. May add a few pellets to help create some ammonia. Anything else i'm missing here?

I think the OP has some live rock he is mixing with new dry rock so there is bacteria in the mix.
With yours, unless you have a bacteria source it's going to take much longer to cycle the rock.
In your case if no live rock is added, I would definitely add some bottled bacteria, and an ammonia source.

 

[mikebusc]

I think the OP has some live rock he is mixing with new dry rock so there is bacteria in the mix.
With yours, unless you have a bacteria source it's going to take much longer to cycle the rock.
In your case if no live rock is added, I would definitely add some bottled bacteria, and an ammonia source.

Yes that is my exact idea. Getting LR from LFS. I can use some dry rock recommendations. I've seen were people use dry to build some aquascape features. I'd like to do that then mix with the LR. Are there some better than others? Some that are more "buildable" than others. Thanks.