Cycling dry rock

[josh_tn]

I went ahead and ordered some dry rock from marcorocks for the new 180g. I would like to go ahead and be cycling this rock while I'm finishing getting the tank setup. What is the best way to do this? I was thinking of picking up one of those stock tanks from HD to use for this.
Is it as simple as filling it with saltwater, putting in the dry rock and a couple pieces of live rock, dropping in a heater, and putting a powerhead or 2 in there? Does it need any light or a cover?

The rock is supposed to be here on Saturday so any help would be appreciated. I may also need a piece or 2 of live rock to seed with if anyone has any available.

 

[poolkeeper1]

I would think the process you have listed above would work, But It would be better to add at least 10% live rock to the mix and have some form of live creatures in the container. There are additives out to seed live bacteria that will also help to speed up the process. Bacteria multiply very quickly but this process will take some time b4 you have what real live rock would bring to a tank. Also If you want the process of Algae to start to cover your rock light will be needed for this to take place. Remember that all the benefical creatures that come In on real live rock are devoid In this product and must be introduced in the seed rock for It to be able to support your new system... Hope I've been helpful....

 

[josh_tn]

Very helpful info. Thanks Bill. As far as light goes, I have a little 20" PC light I could hang over it but it wouldn't be much light. Would it be enough to get the algae process going?

One other question I'm debating - I'm planning on building some structures with the rock using the ceramic rods and epoxy. Should I do this prior to cycling the rock or after it is done and I'm ready to put it in the tank? I'm thinking it would probably be best to construct them first and then cycle so I don't have to damage them once they're cycled? Sound right?

 

[waynesworld]

Josh you can also just put it into your tank and it will become live there. What I would do is build your structure in your tank dry or with water and then add some live rock from another tank and slowly add fish you will not have problems. If you would like you can place some rock in one of my tubs to get some of the good stuff they are talking about and when you transport it back you just keep it in water to stop any die off.

If you have a tub it is nice to use to keep some rock in why you are arranging your tank but not needed if you are not using it for something else.

 

[josh_tn]

Thanks Wayne. I don't have the sump built or any plumbing done yet so I can't put the rock in the tank yet. That's why I was thinking of getting a jump start on the cycle while I was getting the tank setup finished. Knowing how slowly I seem to be progressing it could be a few weeks before the tank sees any water. I'm just thinking that after finally getting the tank setup and running, I'll not enjoy sitting and waiting another few weeks for the rock to cycle. But maybe I'm just being impatient.
I do hate to spend money on a stock tank just for this purpose though, so maybe someone might have one I could borrow? Or be interested in buying a lightly used one after I finish my rock cycle?

 

[james3370]

wayne's way is how i'm planning on doing my rock wall. gonna build it in the tank w/ dry rock from bulkreefsupply & marcorocks. then when i get the tank running, i plan on seeding the main tank & sump w/ a few pieces of live rock......& maybe a bottle of purpleup LOL

 

[poolkeeper1]

As Wayne said and I agree you could just do this In your tank after building your columns, You don't have to have a sump running for the rock to be seeding, And when you are ready just hook the sump Into the system! If you want to start Coraline Algae I can give you some scrapings from my tank to start It off, Purple Up will do nothing to start It!!! Sorry James IMO that stuff Is a ripoff.

 

[andywe]

I like purple up for the nano's, but for the 180 no way. I have a 180 Josh and did my setup starting with Purple up, and it was not great. DT's or BRS 2 part is a much wiser (and cheaper) way.

 

[james3370]

yeah. my only experience w/ the purple up is my biocube8 & the 2 jbj pico tanks. i did notice quite a bit of coraline quick on the dry rock when i set one of the picos up & used the purpleup. only thing "live" in that tank when i set it up was the sand

 

[poolkeeper1]

You must have had the coraline get In somehow because purple up does not contain any!!! It claims to accelerate It's growth but I don't believe It does anything, Well except empty your wallet... JMHO.

 

[josh_tn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15005269#post15005269 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poolkeeper1
As Wayne said and I agree you could just do this In your tank after building your columns, You don't have to have a sump running for the rock to be seeding, And when you are ready just hook the sump Into the system! If you want to start Coraline Algae I can give you some scrapings from my tank to start It off, Purple Up will do nothing to start It!!! Sorry James IMO that stuff Is a ripoff.

Well I guess I never thought of that. So you just fill up the tank well below the overflows so it doesn't spill over into the drains? I suppose I could do it that way. Would certainly save me from buying the stock tank. Sounds like that might be the best bet.

When you say DT's, do you mean the phyto? I have some of that I've been feeding the nano with every few days.

Now I just need to find some live rock and some powerheads and I'll be all set. Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[NeveSSL]

For coralline algae to grow, just make sure your pH, calcium, alk, and maybe magnesium (EXACTLY what's in purple up) are at proper levels and your lighting isn't too bright. If you have one lone piece of live rock it will be enough to seed everything for filtration. Just add maybe one piece of shrimp for food for the bacteria, but that's not a necessity.



Brandon

 

[andywe]

I found good results with Purple up, and it was easy, especially for the nano or smaller tanks (100 gal and under). It did yield results, but again, on larger tanks it gets expensive. I have 2 new bottles that will take me years to go through on the nano's. Anyone want to buy a bottle from me?

 

[mixer911]

I would keep most of it dry and build the structure first. If you use acrylic rods and epoxy putty you can get the structure built and then soak the rock in a seperate container. That's what I did, but mine was a lot smaller scale
Take wayne up on that offer to put some in his tank, then build with the rest.

 

[mixer911]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15006019#post15006019 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by josh_tn

When you say DT's, do you mean the phyto? I have some of that I've been feeding the nano with every few days.

DT's Reef Elements. That is the A,B,C. Same stuff (calcium) you bought at fins at the last meeting. You can get it online in Gallons cheaper.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Brandon, Just where does It say what's In purple Up, Last bottle I saw did not list any Ingredients!!! That's why I will not use a product that doesn't tell you what It Is your pouring Into your tank. Odds are It's some sort Of Ca nothing more and at almost 20.00 a bottle It's quite a scam IMHO. BRS 2 part Is much cheaper and at least you know what you getting. I've had amazing Coraline growth with nothing added at all, just water changes and good T5 lighting. Ca, KH, Mg If all are in the proper range you will get growth. On the Other note one lone piece of live rock will If given time seed the others, But for a 180gal tank and to introduce a wide variety of beneficial critters I would suggest more. It will take at least a year to have a fully diverse and benefical system like this compared to all live rock, I have done this b4 and speak from experiance, I carried my live rock from California in trash cans, via Mo to Tn and unless you add all the things that are In LR they don't appear out of thin air. Bacteria multiply's fast but you must add the critters.

 

[josh_tn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15007497#post15007497 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mixer911
I would keep most of it dry and build the structure first. If you use acrylic rods and epoxy putty you can get the structure built and then soak the rock in a seperate container. That's what I did, but mine was a lot smaller scale
Take wayne up on that offer to put some in his tank, then build with the rest.

When you say soak the rock in a separate container, do you mean with some live rock to seed it or just by itself? My dilemna is I don't currently have a separate container so I think I'll either need to buy one or cycle it in the tank with the water level low enough to keep it from overflowing into my drain holes that have no plumbing yet.

 

[mixer911]

you could do it either way. In the tank would be fine too. You will definately need some LR to seed it with once you soak it. Do you have any way of skimming it while it is seeding. your gonna get a bunch of grunge from the rock once it hits the water. here is a shot of my skimmer cup after one day. I emptied it like 4-5 times over a week. And this was only 50 lbs

 

[reef2]

i just did the rock work on my 240g a couple weeks ago with dry rock. i built my structure while it was dry in the tank. this way i could take the pieces out drill, ziptie and epoxy. after i filled up the tank with sw to just under the overflows. its cycling while i work on the sump.

 

[james3370]

i put a ball valve right after the elbow connection to the bulkhead, so i'll just close it & let the tank cycle while i do the sump (when i get to that point)

guess i'll have a powerhead in my tank after all (for only a short time) LOL

.....oh wait, i have an over the top closed loop :rollface: