cycling rock in a plastic bucket

[CindyK]

Hello,

I am waiting to have some work done in my home before setting up my 75 gal reef - I don't want to set it up, just to break it down and move it. My plan is to cycle with around 50lb of dry rock and 30-50 lb of live rock when I get that far...I'd like to start soaking the dry rock now to leech the phos, then add the dry rock to start a cycle in a rubbermaid or something similar. Do I need to do anything differently? How do I attach a powerhead (I expect I'll get something magnetic) to a rubbermaid? I don't have the powerhead yet, so I can get something that works as long as it will also work in my QT down the road.

Thanx,

Cindy

 

[Bl4ckDr4g0n]

After curing 40 lbs of BRS pukani in a 20 gallon brute can, here is what I would do different.

1. Get a rectangular rubbermaid container. It neednt be deep, but water flow is important.

2. Flow, Flow, Flow. In the end i had 900 gph korallia, 2 mp 10s and my skimmer pump in the brute and still wished I had more flow.

3. If you get Pukani, dont skip the acid bath. After 8 weeks of curing, I just couldnt wait anymore and setup the tank, but the rock could have easily cured for longer, NO3 would be back to 20+ and PO4 at .5+ within 24 hours of a 90% water change after 7 weeks.

4. Don't rush curing dry rock.

 

[Jwheld]

I cured my 30lbs pukani I in a Rubbermaid container. Took about a month. I used a tunze 6055 for flow and did a couple 100% water changes. Once the curing process was underway I picked the decomposing organic matter out to help the process. Also, dosed with lanthanum chloride to help with leeching phosphates.

 

[homer1475]

I cured my 30lbs pukani I in a Rubbermaid container. Took about a month. I used a tunze 6055 for flow and did a couple 100% water changes. Once the curing process was underway I picked the decomposing organic matter out to help the process. Also, dosed with lanthanum chloride to help with leeching phosphates.

Exactly as above and have 0 issues other then some GHA. I should have done the LC for another week or so as my PO4 was down to .04. I should have done LC until it was under .02.

 

[CindyK]

Thank you for all of the responses! How did you all attach your powerheads to the rubbermaid?

Cindy

 

[homer1475]

In my case I used a couple old hydor korralia pumps that have magnet mounts. One on the pump itself, and one outside the bucket. I use them for mixing water also.

 

[CindyK]

In my case I used a couple old hydor korralia pumps that have magnet mounts. One on the pump itself, and one outside the bucket. I use them for mixing water also.

So the magnets worked then, I wasn't sure. Thank you :lolspin:

 

[CindyK]

I cured my 30lbs pukani I in a Rubbermaid container. Took about a month. I used a tunze 6055 for flow and did a couple 100% water changes. Once the curing process was underway I picked the decomposing organic matter out to help the process. Also, dosed with lanthanum chloride to help with leeching phosphates.

I'm considering two tunze 6055s for my 75 gal, hoping to be eventual mixed reef so these are a strong possibility.

 

[Jwheld]

I'm considering two tunze 6055s for my 75 gal, hoping to be eventual mixed reef so these are a strong possibility.

This is now what I have in my 40B display tank. Plenty of horsepower! Should be great for a 75.