In tank rock curing!

[bpitts4]

I am setting up a new tank and have ordered 250lbs of dry rock from BRS. What I am wondering is can I cure this rock in the actual tank being that there are currently no inhabitants.

After curing for the appropriate time frame, I plan on draining most of the water, add the live sand and fill with new salt water.

This allows me to aquascape the tank with nothing in it and once complete I can just fill with sand and water and begin to cycle and then add fish.

Any thoughts as to why this couldnt work?

Thanks!

 

[shanepike]

That's what I did, and I didn't even drain the water afterwards (that I recall). This is a good read:

 

[markl]

I always buy dry/dead rock then bleach it. I either add a dead shrimp or a cap full of pure ammonia to start cycle. You can always add a scraping of coralline algae from another members tank. Add a bottle of pods after the cycle and your good to go.

 

[shac]

ShanePike;831881 wrote: That's what I did, and I didn't even drain the water afterwards (that I recall). This is a good read: http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=59">http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=59</a>[/QUOTE]


Great read

 

[ichthyoid]

I'm wondering why I would want to stick my hands in anything that had putrid shrimp in it?

I prefer a bottled bacteria, such as Fritzzyme #9.

The recommended amount, plus enough ammonia or ammonium chloride to raise the ammonium to ~4ppm, will cycle a tank in about 10 days.

No pathogenic bacteria used, better for both me and the critters.

 

[camellia]

Allen;831899 wrote: What is a bottle of pods?^

Copepod

Reef2Reef has good prices and nice size pods.

 

[jef4y]

Absolutely nothing wrong with your suggestion. I, however, wouldn't do a 100% water change.

What I would do...
Add sand (live or dead. doesn't matter. I used "live" because it was cheap & available)
Fill tank
Add rock
Bring tank water to temp. Run it a bit higher than normal. 82-85 would be fine
Add some sort of bacteria (Seachem Prime would probably be my choice)
VIGOROUS WATER MOVEMENT - crank all those pumps up!
Skim WET. Obviously not so wet that you're messing with the SG of the water, but skim wet
Make sure you have an ATO on it
20% water changes weekly

Do that for 4-6 weeks and you should be golden.

I wouldn't do a 100% water change, ever. It's just not necessary.

Lights are optional & will promote your diatom bloom which is better now than later
Avoid GFO & Carbon


Yep, I think that's pretty much what I would do.

 

[heathlindner25]

JeF4y;831970 wrote: Absolutely nothing wrong with your suggestion. I, however, wouldn't do a 100% water change.

What I would do...
Add sand (live or dead. doesn't matter. I used "live" because it was cheap & available)
Fill tank
Add rock
Bring tank water to temp. Run it a bit higher than normal. 82-85 would be fine
Add some sort of bacteria (Seachem Prime would probably be my choice)
VIGOROUS WATER MOVEMENT - crank all those pumps up!
Skim WET. Obviously not so wet that you're messing with the SG of the water, but skim wet
Make sure you have an ATO on it
20% water changes weekly

Do that for 4-6 weeks and you should be golden.

I wouldn't do a 100% water change, ever. It's just not necessary.

Lights are optional & will promote your diatom bloom which is better now than later
Avoid GFO & Carbon


Yep, I think that's pretty much what I would do.

, don't you usually put the rock in first then the sand, and I don't believe Prime is bacteria

Edit: stability is a good bacteria in a bottle.

 

[jef4y]

heathlindner25;832004 wrote: , don't you usually put the rock in first then the sand, and I don't believe Prime is bacteria

Edit: stability is a good bacteria in a bottle.

I usually put the sand in and then take the rock & grind it down to the bottom of the tank, displacing the sand. And you're right. Stability, not prime. I get the two mixed up :unsure:

 

[heathlindner25]

I just wanted to make sure he knew to get those rocks as close as he can to the glass on the bottom...lol