Live rock question

[newbie20]

I purchased a used set up a couple of months ago. The guy was moving and the tank didn't appear to have been running for quite some time (I didn't think to ask how long). There was "live" rock still submerged in saltwater in the sump. Since moving the tank, the rock has sat in a bucket in my garage completely unattended (no powerhead, heater, etc.) Though I'm new, I feel that the rock is most likely dead, probably before I picked it up. However, I would like to incorporate it into the sump again. What should I do from here to incorporate it without harming the remainder of the system?

Thanks

 

[newbie20]

From what I've heard, they can get pretty rancid, but it's never given off a noticeable smell. However, I've not bent over to smell it directly either.

As far as cycling, I'm assuming that can just be done in a separate container until such time the ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels are at 0?

Edit: BTW - I'm setting the system up from scratch. I've already got cured live rock in the main tank that I expect to be cycled soon.

 

[rdnelson]

If you have no livestock in the tank now, I would rinse the old rock well in RO/DI water to get as much dead stuff off as possible. Then you can add it to the tank. But, expect to see an amonia spike from the dead stuff that is still on the rock. The Live Rock you have in the tank will take care of some but not all so you will have to wait before adding any livestock.