To cycle or not to cycle..

Tans Reef · Feb 4, 2020

I posted this question originally in my build thread “the bar tank” but it went unnoticed so I figured I’d try here lol
So as I get closer to putting some water in this tank I’ve come up with a question I figured I’d toss to pick some brains.. so my current reef rock that’s in the tub is about 10-12 years old and well established.. I was going to put this rock down in the sump and then I’ve got new rock (currently dry) to add to the display when ready.. I’ll have some live rock in the back tank that’s hooked up to the display but I wanted fresh rock in the new tank.. my question is.. should I start cycling this dry rock or will it be sufficient to add being that I’ve already got a ton of rock that’ll be in the sump/piggybacked frag tank??

Where the red arrow is points to where some of the live rock will be but the rest would be in the sump and in the 120 display I’ve got new rock with two plate rocks that have been cycling for a bit now..

Quietman · Feb 4, 2020

The ton of rock should be fine and you'll likely have a cycled tank. I'd still check to make sure it can process 2 ppm ammonia in 24 hours. But should only need a check if you have fully cycled rock being added. Good Luck!

Braunreffer · Feb 4, 2020

Im no expert, but here is my opinion:

I would cycle witha completly fresh set of rocks and clean live sand, maybe with stability. Here is why:

1 you will have not a friendly enviroment in your new tank and eventually the odd of your live rock to die is really high, maybe would place a piece after diatoms vanish away

2 if rock lives you might get pest or controlled undesired organism in your old rock.

3 try something new an develope it

Quietman · Feb 4, 2020

If the live rock was kept 'fed' then there shouldn't be much die off (keep feeding in new tank) and that rock will have good bacteria population and you won't need bottle of anything. If the rock in the tub was kept warm and wet but not fed, it may not be cycled but it is cured so nothing should exist to breakdown.

The dry rock doesn't matter (assuming it's true dry and not previously wet that needs to be cured) as far as cycling as the other live rock will be sufficient.

If you see 2ppm ammonia to 0 ppm in 24 hours and corresponding increase in nitrates (3.6 NO3: 1 NH3), then it's as friendly environment as you're going to get.

Tans Reef · Feb 4, 2020

Quietman said:
If the live rock was kept 'fed' then there shouldn't be much die off (keep feeding in new tank) and that rock will have good bacteria population and you won't need bottle of anything. If the rock in the tub was kept warm and wet but not fed, it may not be cycled but it is cured so nothing should exist to breakdown.

The dry rock doesn't matter (assuming it's true dry and not previously wet that needs to be cured) as far as cycling as the other live rock will be sufficient.

If you see 2ppm ammonia to 0 ppm in 24 hours and corresponding increase in nitrates (3.6 NO3: 1 NH3), then it's as friendly environment as you're going to get.

guess I should have stated that the live rock ill be using is still currently running in my tub reef.. that's why I was contemplating not cycling the dry rock.. its Marco rock that I acquired years ago and its never been wet.

sharpimage · Feb 4, 2020

I wouldn't cycle it. Gives you more time with an empty tank to aquascape it.

Vincent Azzano · Feb 4, 2020

Tans Reef said:
I posted this question originally in my build thread “the bar tank” but it went unnoticed so I figured I’d try here lol
So as I get closer to putting some water in this tank I’ve come up with a question I figured I’d toss to pick some brains.. so my current reef rock that’s in the tub is about 10-12 years old and well established.. I was going to put this rock down in the sump and then I’ve got new rock (currently dry) to add to the display when ready.. I’ll have some live rock in the back tank that’s hooked up to the display but I wanted fresh rock in the new tank.. my question is.. should I start cycling this dry rock or will it be sufficient to add being that I’ve already got a ton of rock that’ll be in the sump/piggybacked frag tank??

Where the red arrow is points to where some of the live rock will be but the rest would be in the sump and in the 120 display I’ve got new rock with two plate rocks that have been cycling for a bit now..

It’s not a necessity to cycle but it’s always good to cycle rocks and sand every once in a while.

lavoisier · Feb 4, 2020

As has been said, with that much live rock you should be okay. Most dry rock does leech PO4. Have you cured it?

DSFa · Feb 4, 2020

I’d just set up a new tank, put bio media balls in the built in sump and a rock into display.these were from an older system. Added a clown on 2nd day with an anenome and it’s
Been almost a month now. Have 2 more dartfish, corals and CuC / CBS. No deaths so far and amonias zero. Although it’s a very small system 45 gallons it’s been skimmer-less since and nutrients doing fine. Having one on the way soon just in case though. Goodluck!