Questions about transferring live rock

[BBarry]

I currently have a 29 gallon tank running now for a few months and everything is going smoothly. I also have a 40 breeder here that I'm turning into an AIO. My plan is to transfer stuff from the 29 to the 40 and then keep the 29 as a QT tank.

When we did the initial setup, we used 'dry live rock (the purple one)' and built 4 structures and held them together with Nyos reef cement. I then added 4 smaller rocks so that I could seed them and use them as islands in the 40.

My initial thoughts were to just take the 4 'structures' I built from live rock and move them to the new tank, leaving 4 smaller rocks in the 29 until the 40 is 100% ready to go. (The 4 smaller rocks all have a frag glued to them, hence me waiting until the last minute to move them.)

After watching some of the 'top mistakes we made' type of videos, I recognize I did some too. Nothing egregious, just not much in terms of negative space, stuff a little too close to glass (potentially), etc. So I thought I would take this time to modify my scape and possibly combine 2 or more of my base structures and try to correct some of said mistakes. Is this feasible or should I just go with what I got? I'm worried that working with the rocks out of water will cause all the beneficial bacteria that I've built up on the rocks to die and I'll have a crash.

So TLR version - If I take my live rocks out of the water, how long do I have to be able to 'restructure' them and cement them in place? Nyos dries pretty quick but takes hours to fully cure.

 

[Bucs20fan]

I currently have a 29 gallon tank running now for a few months and everything is going smoothly. I also have a 40 breeder here that I'm turning into an AIO. My plan is to transfer stuff from the 29 to the 40 and then keep the 29 as a QT tank.

When we did the initial setup, we used 'dry live rock (the purple one)' and built 4 structures and held them together with Nyos reef cement. I then added 4 smaller rocks so that I could seed them and use them as islands in the 40.

My initial thoughts were to just take the 4 'structures' I built from live rock and move them to the new tank, leaving 4 smaller rocks in the 29 until the 40 is 100% ready to go. (The 4 smaller rocks all have a frag glued to them, hence me waiting until the last minute to move them.)

After watching some of the 'top mistakes we made' type of videos, I recognize I did some too. Nothing egregious, just not much in terms of negative space, stuff a little too close to glass (potentially), etc. So I thought I would take this time to modify my scape and possibly combine 2 or more of my base structures and try to correct some of said mistakes. Is this feasible or should I just go with what I got? I'm worried that working with the rocks out of water will cause all the beneficial bacteria that I've built up on the rocks to die and I'll have a crash.

So TLR version - If I take my live rocks out of the water, how long do I have to be able to 'restructure' them and cement them in place? Nyos dries pretty quick but takes hours to fully cure.

You have as long as it takes for the rocks to start to dry. Keep them moist and you have some time. I wouldnt do more than 30 minutes.

 

[BBarry]

You have as long as it takes for the rocks to start to dry. Keep them moist and you have some time. I wouldnt do more than 30 minutes.

Thanks! I guess I should prepare with a spray bottle or bowl of salt water then just in case?

 

[Bucs20fan]

That should work. I would try to get it over as soon as possible and handle the rocks as little as possible. It will be very easy to scratch or cut your hand, and you dont want those nasties on that rock in your bloodstream lol.

 

[Dburr1014]

I currently have a 29 gallon tank running now for a few months and everything is going smoothly. I also have a 40 breeder here that I'm turning into an AIO. My plan is to transfer stuff from the 29 to the 40 and then keep the 29 as a QT tank.

When we did the initial setup, we used 'dry live rock (the purple one)' and built 4 structures and held them together with Nyos reef cement. I then added 4 smaller rocks so that I could seed them and use them as islands in the 40.

My initial thoughts were to just take the 4 'structures' I built from live rock and move them to the new tank, leaving 4 smaller rocks in the 29 until the 40 is 100% ready to go. (The 4 smaller rocks all have a frag glued to them, hence me waiting until the last minute to move them.)

After watching some of the 'top mistakes we made' type of videos, I recognize I did some too. Nothing egregious, just not much in terms of negative space, stuff a little too close to glass (potentially), etc. So I thought I would take this time to modify my scape and possibly combine 2 or more of my base structures and try to correct some of said mistakes. Is this feasible or should I just go with what I got? I'm worried that working with the rocks out of water will cause all the beneficial bacteria that I've built up on the rocks to die and I'll have a crash.

So TLR version - If I take my live rocks out of the water, how long do I have to be able to 'restructure' them and cement them in place? Nyos dries pretty quick but takes hours to fully cure.

If you use ethyl 2-Cyanoacrylate (super glue) and arragonite sand, it would take just a few minutes for each piece to glue and set.

Also, just switching over to the 29 to the 40 would not cause any cycle.

This works with wet rock as well, I've done it.