Waiting for tank so i'm soaking rocks

[boatguy]

I am going to have to wait a while for my Tank to arrive so I decided to go ahead and attempt to "cure" some base rock. I have a Waterbox 90.3 on the way and went out and got about 55Lbs of base rock at the LFS. I have 2 55 gallon food grade new water tubs. I filled one a little less than halfway ( maybe 20 gals) with RODI water. Put the salinity at 18-20 ppm and added a heater for a temp of 84F. I did this to help the bacteria grow faster in a warmer lower salinity environment. Going to add some bacteria from the LFS (Fritz) in the morning and then a very small amount of ammonia. My questions are:
1) Do I need to aerate?
2) I have the lid on so no light. Is this OK?
3) Should I just leave it be after the ammonia or continue to feed? I have seen people go both ways.
4) I would like to add the coraline algae in a can if it works. Is it just as good to wait and keep the calcium and alk at good levels? If it's good to use the algae in a can when would it be the right time to add?
Thanks for all the assistance.

 

[Spare time]

If the rock has never been used, then it doesn't need to be cured. However, you can still start your cycle with the rock. You do need aueration. I prefer a pump in the bottom of the bucket but there are several ways to do it. After the ammonia and nitrite is gone, you can continue if you want. It can go without ammonia and nitrite for a little while (no clue exactly how long). As for coralline, just wait till its in the tank (otherwise you would need to get light on it).


Don't raise your ammonia past 3ppm.

 

[K7BMG]

I dont know why the low salinity.
I would have the salinity at the level you intend to run the tank at.

You need flow this can be accomplished with a pump or airstone.

Coraline should wait. Coraline is a photosynthetic algae so if you have no light you will have no growth.

Less is more when it comes to ammonia.
IMO I would never exceed 2ppm.
High ammonia levels can and do cause issues.

I would follow the directions on your Fritz bacteria for best results.
I have found stability is key in reefing.
You will find stability as one of the number one recommendations and goals for many reasons.
So starting your bacteria culture at different paramiters than you intend to run the tank IMO is not good.
But there are many ways to do everything.

 

[Spare time]

I dont know why the low salinity.
I would have the salinity at the level you intend to run the tank at.

You need flow this can be accomplished with a pump or airstone.

Coraline should wait. Coraline is a photosynthetic algae so if you have no light you will have no growth.

Less is more when it comes to ammonia.
IMO I would never exceed 2ppm.
High ammonia levels can and do cause issues.

I would follow the directions on your Fritz bacteria for best results.
I have found stability is key in reefing.
You will find stability as one of the number one recommendations and goals for many reasons.
So starting your bacteria culture at different paramiters than you intend to run the tank IMO is not good.
But there are many ways to do everything.

The bacteria is able to cycle the tank faster at a lower salinity. You can slowly raise it back up. That bacteria can handle a wide range of salinity.

 

[K7BMG]

The bacteria is able to cycle the tank faster at a lower salinity. You can slowly raise it back up. That bacteria can handle a wide range of salinity.

Interesting thought I have not seen this in the research I have done in the past.
Most everything in the reef tank can and will handle a range of all parameters I will agree there.
That said more success is gained by the stability of those parameters from the start.
In my case I will still stand on having all my parameters as I intend to run the the tank. Including the bacteria growing for the cycling process. This way there is not a adjustment period to acclimate, there could be a die off that can become problematic. Plus the additional time to raise the salinity would have to be factored in. What is that time frame?
An hour, several days, a week?
But this like most things in the reefing hobby always fall into the grey areas.

 

[Spare time]

Interesting thought I have not seen this in the research I have done in the past.
Most everything in the reef tank can and will handle a range of all parameters I will agree there.
That said more success is gained by the stability of those parameters from the start.
In my case I will still stand on having all my parameters as I intend to run the the tank. Including the bacteria growing for the cycling process. This way there is not a adjustment period to acclimate, there could be a die off that can become problematic. Plus the additional time to raise the salinity would have to be factored in. What is that time frame?
An hour, several days, a week?
But this like most things in the reefing hobby always fall into the grey areas.

This video should answer your questions