Cycling Dry Rock

[pazzo40]

I just purchased 50 lbs of dry rock from Reef Cleaners for a new tank. I'm not getting the tank until the end of the month so I rinsed off the rock and threw it into a empty 20 long with a power head to start the cycle. Since I have never done something like this my question is how can I seed this rock without the use of any other live rock? Also should I throw a heater in there? Once I get my tank I'm going to transfer the rock to that tank and let it sit for another 2 weeks at least.

Thanks

 

[shifty51008]

throw a piece of raw shrimp in the tank for a few days to get ammonia started, once yo see ammonia levels raise to around 1-2ppm pull out the shrimp and your cycle is started then it is a waiting game while the cycle finishes.

as for seeding for critters, you can get a cup of live sand from a fellow reefer or some places sell micro fauna packs.

 

[pazzo40]

Do you think I can drop a couple pellets in instead of raw shrimp? Maybe add some bio-spira?

 

[shifty51008]

yeah you can ghost feed. just feed the tank like you would if fish were in the tank. any type of ammonia will start the cycle. bottled ammonia (non sented), fish food, raw shrimp and yes even peeing in the tank are all diffrent ways I have heard of starting the cycle without fish.

I would stay away from the bottled bacteria stuff, IMO they are a waste of money and don't really do much.

 

[pazzo40]

Awesome, thanks for your help.

 

[Green Chromis]

:fish1: Why don't you want to use live rock to seed the dead rock? :fish1:

 

[pazzo40]

I want to minimize any chance of nuisance algae.