Cycling dry rock

[josh_tn]

I have the skimmer but I'm not sure of any good way to use it if I cycle the rock in the tank. If I get a stock tank to cycle it in, I might could rig it up somehow.
I don't even have the bulkheads installed on the tank yet so I'll definitely have to keep the water level low if I use the tank to cycle the rock.
My marcorocks shipping just updated and it looks like the rock should be here today instead of Saturday so I may be getting started sooner than I thought.

 

[waynesworld]

Ok the firs thing you need to do is get the bulkheads in. You want to test those with just putting water in the over flow not the whole tank. I know this from exp a couple of times(I am a slow learner). then you will have ball or gate valves closed to use your tank. But if you use a stock tank you will put live rock in it and I would through a few cheap mollies in it to help cycle. I sent you a PM though.

 

[josh_tn]

Ok, so should all the bulkheads(drains and returns) have ball valves right at the bulkhead to shut them off? I have 2 corner overflows and each has a drain and return drilled in the bottom.

 

[mixer911]

Yea, i usually leave a some room inbetween the bulkhead and the ball valve so if you ever have to remove the bulkhead in the future you can just cut the area in between the 2.

 

[james3370]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15010062#post15010062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mixer911
Yea, i usually leave a some room inbetween the bulkhead and the ball valve so if you ever have to remove the bulkhead in the future you can just cut the area in between the 2.

or use a dual-union ball valve. in fact, on my build all my ball valves are dual-union ball valves from lowes....you never know when you might have to take something apart & they are about the same price as buying a ball valve & 2 unions. i HIGHLY recommend doing it that way

if ya need any standard 3/4" ball valves, let me know. i have 6 that i didn't use & no receipt to return....let ya have em cheap

 

[josh_tn]

Thanks. I just put the bulkheads in and I'll probably head to Lowe's this afternoon and get some valves.

James, my returns are 3/4" I believe so I may take you up on that.

 

[josh_tn]

Rock got here while I was home for lunch. I've never bought any rock online before but I'm pretty impressed with this stuff. Good variety of shapes and sizes and its very porous rock.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Looks nice, Now comes the fun part doing a jig saw puzzle so to speak...

 

[james3370]

yeah, that's what my marco rock looks like. the bulkreefsupply rock i also got is similar, but a little less "spaghetti noodle" looking LOL

i should be able to break mine into smaller pieces easily w/ a hammer & chisel

 

[mixer911]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15010155#post15010155 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by james3370
or use a dual-union ball valve. in fact, on my build all my ball valves are dual-union ball valves from lowes....you never know when you might have to take something apart & they are about the same price as buying a ball valve & 2 unions. i HIGHLY recommend doing it that way

if ya need any standard 3/4" ball valves, let me know. i have 6 that i didn't use & no receipt to return....let ya have em cheap

My fish love all the crevices in the Marco rock.... There are tons of hiding spots.

 

[james3370]

yeah, i originally put a 1.5" single-union ball valve on my overflow pipe.....then it was pointed out to me that i mounted it backwards (union on top instead of bottom)

luckily, i had left some pvc between the elbow on the bulkhead & the ubv, so i cut it, used a 1.5" slip/slip coupler & reduced it to 1" there since 1.5 was too much drain for my tank anyway LOL

before & after:

 

[josh_tn]

Well I picked up some valves at Lowes this afternoon. Turns out my returns are 1" not 3/4" James. Drains are 1.5". Those 1.5" union ball valves are massive. Hope I don't have any clearance issues.

I have no idea where to even begin trying to piece these rocks together. Guess I'll go see if I can get some good ideas from pictures here on RC.
When you build these aquascapes, how do you make the bottom stable so it won't lean or fall over? Does the sand do that or do you make some type of platform with the acrylic rods?

 

[poolkeeper1]

A platform would be wise, or several rocks on the bottom then start to build upward so they look natural...

 

[josh_tn]

That sounds like a good idea.

Those true union valves are just a bit too big to clear down there. I'll either have to get some 45's and bring it down and out a bit before putting the valve or use a smaller type of valve. I think if I use the 45's on the drains, I can probably get the return valves right at the bulkhead like I'd planned. I'm not sure which is best but it seems like for maintenance and ease of use, it might be better to use the 45's. Even with a smaller valve, it will be tight in there otherwise.

 

[james3370]

yeah, i'm glad i reduced my overflow pipe down to 1" cause the 1.5 did look pretty big LOL

as far as the rocks, i just got done doing mine (explanation end of pg5...pics are on pg6 of build thread). i ended up putting some rather long wide pieces on the bottom & just stacking from there. once i was done, went in between all the rocks & just squirted some of the pond foam & let it expand. it already seems pretty solid.....i think the only way it is coming out is to sledgehammer the tank apart LOL

 

[josh_tn]

Looking good James. You're definitely gonna have to leave that in the tank permanently lol.

 

[dborowsk]

I agree with the other posters. Aging the rock will happen over time and your ideas should work. I would add blasting your pumps, power heads, propellers, etc. right at the rock. I find that I get the most 'purple' the quickest near the highest flow. Maybe that's obvious, but keep the water circulating well around your rocks while aging them. Good luck. I like the popcorn ball appearance of those rocks. Reminds me of treat day.