Curing rock/ using dead rock

[FSU3NOLES28]

Im trying to work up a plan for my switchover from my 55g with no sump to a 90g with a sump. Im hoping to do the switchover sometime in November/December. Right now i have a fair amount of rock in my 55 (not really sure how many lbs) but i kow that im going to be adding a bunch more into the 90.

I have a few odd pieces now but most of what i have are chunky pieces that have no real shape.

At what point should i start curing some dead rock in order for it to be ready for my new tank if I hope to get it running in late November or December?

What type pf rock do you guys recommend that would allow me to add good amounts of lps and softies to it and still give me odd shapes and pieces?

Do i have time to get dry rock and turn it into live rock?

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Is the "dead rock" dry clean rock? Or live rock that was taken out of the water and placed in a dry bin or something? If it is dry clean rock, you can do one of two things. Add it to a Rubbermaid bin or whatever with some of the LR from your aquarium and let it cycle. Or, what I'd do, add all the LR from the 55 to the 90 and toss in the new clean dry LR. It will become colonized without causing a cycle.

If its the other kind, dried out but yucky....I'd get some muriatic acid and "reincarnate" it per puter 's thread. Then once its clean and dry, you can just add it to the new tank with all the cured LR from the 55 like I mentioned above.

I don't think you can go wrong by throwing the dry stuff in a bucket or garbage can or whatever with a powerhead, heater and some cured LR. If you have a month or two, it will cycle or become colonized regardless of which kind you're starting with.


Make sense? Hope I'm helping not rambling...

 

[Henry Colf]

I guess it depends on what you want to spend. BRS has different types of dry rock that has to be seeded at a reasonable price. They come in some pretty cool or odd shapes. If your looking to buy live rock it will cost more but that's how it goes. I got most of the rock in my tank from another sponser on RC who sells dry rock can't remember the name at the moment but pretty much the same type of rock structure BRS has imo. What I liked about it was I was able to lay it all out how I wanted it before it went into my tank. The other way you could go is to buy rock from local lfs or people on URS that are getting out or down sizing..JMO hope this helps..

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

Both were very helpful thanks guys!

I have some small chunks of rock that i took out of my tank and were just put into a box. Im not sure that i want to use that stuff though because its boxy and has no good shape to it. Just wondered if i did, what id have to do to it before putting it in my show tank.

Most of what i got was from the lfs but i dont think i wanna go that route this time unless i see a few really nice pieces. I spent a crap load on the last stuff so preferrably id like to spend less this time. Thats mostly why im trying to plan ahead for thisone. To give me the time to cure it or turn it into live rock before switching to the 90.

Just really looking for dfferent shapes and not huge bulky chunks. Didnt know what specific "types"
would give you more different shapes. Tonga, tatoka (sp) or whatever.

 

[Henry Colf]

Then your better off buying some of BRS's ecorock and curing it yourself. Not to change the subject but did you happen to get the pic of the sump I sent you?

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

Then your better off buying some of BRS's ecorock and curing it yourself. Not to change the subject but did you happen to get the pic of the sump I sent you?

Does anywhere around here sell rock similar to to brs stuff? Edit: just looked at the BRS video... Pretty sweet.

Yea i did. Must be you didnt get my reply? Was wondering the dimensions of it again. I dont have the tank or stand at my place yet so before i buy one i want to make sure its going to fit what im looking for.

Shoot me a pm.

Thanks!

 

[Capt_Cully]

When I knew I was going up from 72 to 180 I kept my eye out. Eventually I got like 100 lbs of uncured crudded up LR for $100. I cycled it for a couple of months until we moved and I built the 180. If you have time on your side, you can score a deal. I think I paid about $500 for cured LR from phishybusiness for my 72. REDICULOUSNESS! let anyone who's new learn from that!

FWIW I reincarnated and am still using all that same rock, the phishybusiness stuff + the $1/lb stuff after 7 yrs :thumbsup:

 

[Henry Colf]

pm sent!!

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

When I knew I was going up from 72 to 180 I kept my eye out. Eventually I got like 100 lbs of uncured crudded up LR for $100. I cycled it for a couple of months until we moved and I built the 180. If you have time on your side, you can score a deal. I think I paid about $500 for cured LR from phishybusiness for my 72. REDICULOUSNESS! let anyone who's new learn from that!

FWIW I reincarnated and am still using all that same rock, the phishybusiness stuff + the $1/lb stuff after 7 yrs :thumbsup:

Exactly what i was looking for.

When i first started i took a trip to LFS and walked out $450 later. I only bought LR, a refractometer, salt, and some sand. Ouch. Worst part, i dont even like the shape of the rock i bought that night. Ouch again.

If i wasnt so pumped to get the thing going i could have saved myself a ton on rock thats for damn sure.

I have enough decent rock to turn dry rock into good stuff so thats definitely the route im going.

Thanks again Cully.