Pre-cycling(pre-curing) dry Rock method?

[Lionsreef]

Mine is cycling in a big brute trash can in my garage with an old power head and a heater. So by the time my tank is up and running it’ll be about the 4 month period similar to what BRS did in the 4 month cycle video.

Have you been doing any water changes or feeding the bacteria? Have you also added any coraline from either a live rock or scrapings of coraline?

 

[fernalfer]

Are you guys keeping a lid on your brute containers when pre cycling your rock? Or are you leaving topoff?

 

[fernalfer]

Are you guys leaving the lid on the Brute Containers while pre-cycling your rock? Or are you leaving the tops off?

 

[Lionsreef]

Are you guys leaving the lid on the Brute Containers while pre-cycling your rock? Or are you leaving the tops off?

I have left the lid on it to retain the heat plus keep any potential debris out but it is not sealed completely air tight since power cords are coming out from my power head and heater. I think I read somewhere you don't want it air tight.

 

[PatW]

I have a tank that should be delivered by June 1. I currently posses many pounds of Marco Dry Rock . What can I do with the dry rock now (before June 1) to pre-cycle (pre-cure) it, before the new tank arrives. I would like to minimize the cycle time once the new tank arrives. I will outline my current thoughts below, with questions listed after each step. Any insight or alternative steps/planning thoughts are appreciated.

Here are my current thoughts.
1. One week soaked in bleach/water combination. (brute cans) (enough time?should I use acid?)
2. Rinse, with dechlorinated water. (brute cans) (length of time?)
3. One month soak in dark, heated, aerated Saltwater, hooked up to skimmer. (Brute Cans) (Do I need water changes, or feeding?)
4.Two month soak in lighted, heated, aerated saltwater, hooked up to skimmer, performing weekly water changes, and feeding. (should I seed with a piece of live rock? can this be done in a brute can would glass tanks be preferable, what should my feeding schedule look like? should I add pods? Should i add a minimal fish population)
5.Would I just be better off buying live rock to begin with?

I would soak in bleach over night and then rinse, rinse, rinse. You can also just let it soak for say 10 minutes, change water and soak for 10 minutes and drain. No need to dechlorinate. Marco rocks are said to be pretty clean so it is probably not necessary. But it does not hurt either.

Steps 3 and 4. I would toss into sea water with Brute trash cans and power heads and add ammonia for cycling from the LFS. Get the ammonia to 1 ppm and let it convert completely to nitrate. Do a full water change and repeat. Also test for phosphates using the Hanna ULR phosphate once per week. If the rocks have phosphates, they should leach out.

No need to buy live rock. Marco is a very good rock and you can make it live yourself.