I purchased some rocks which I was told are Marco Rocks. I'm confused on what I should do with them. I know I shouldn't put them directly in my tank so I placed them in a bin with tap water and a powerhead. Within 24hrs, there was a smell coming from the bin which I'm assuming is ammonia. Should I be using a heater also in the bin? Should I dump out the tap water and use saltwater to start the cycle with some live rock or sand?
How do I cycle Marco Rocks?
- Thread starter lin0501
- Start date
jarrett shark
Active member
is the rock dry or live
It was dry when I first got it but I read that I wasn't suppose to place them directly in my established tank so I placed them in a tub with tap water and a powerhead.
tor101898
Plankton27
soak it in water (tap) until you get all the dust and dirt out. Then soak them in salt water with some vinegar to clean out the dead matter in the rock.
after you are satisfied that the water is clean, place the rock in saltwater add a bacterial source and some vodka, I added 1 cup of vodka in a 32 gallon tub with about 50 lbs of rock. I also used microbacter 7 as the bacterial source. I left this in the tub for about 5 days without light and a powerhead.as the days went on the smell got horrendous. On the 5th day even with a cover the smell had permeated throughout the basement,horrible smell. I took the rock and power washed it outside. then i started the process again with the vodka and bacteria. it took 4 weeks, but the rock is now clean and phosphate free and debris free. this is what I did with my marco rock, but there are other processes.
after you are satisfied that the water is clean, place the rock in saltwater add a bacterial source and some vodka, I added 1 cup of vodka in a 32 gallon tub with about 50 lbs of rock. I also used microbacter 7 as the bacterial source. I left this in the tub for about 5 days without light and a powerhead.as the days went on the smell got horrendous. On the 5th day even with a cover the smell had permeated throughout the basement,horrible smell. I took the rock and power washed it outside. then i started the process again with the vodka and bacteria. it took 4 weeks, but the rock is now clean and phosphate free and debris free. this is what I did with my marco rock, but there are other processes.
tjsreeftank
Member
rock
rock
I just rinsed mine off and put them in the tankl.
rock
I just rinsed mine off and put them in the tankl.
Do I use a heater during this process?
I was going to do that too but I remember reading on here about the phosphates problems and I didn't want to cause any algae or other problems in my tank.
kelleyga36
New member
I just rinsed mine and added straight to tank.
imcosmokramer
New member
I just used it in two builds (here's onehttp://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1725836&page=4)
I would for sure cure it. Just run it in an ro water bath for a few days (use a powerhead). Shake the rock every day to get the junk off of it, then you should be good.
I would for sure cure it. Just run it in an ro water bath for a few days (use a powerhead). Shake the rock every day to get the junk off of it, then you should be good.
wooden_reefer
New member
So you only read that you should not put rock of unknown status and origin into an establish DT.
If you have not read so, would you have added it into the DT?
Do you understand the reasons why you should not?
You may not need to "cycle" this rock if it is intended for an establish DT.
Concerns are ammonia surge due to decay and infection by patheogens. So soak it for weeks to allow all decay to take place and then sterilize it .
If you indeed want to cycle the rock, it is very easy. You are cycling from the dead, meaning no lives to safe. You may want to sterilize the rock to kill patheogens before starting the cycle You just cycle the rock in a separate container, add bacteria seed from DT, saltwater (may be from WC of DT), a source of ammonia, circulate and promote gaseous exchange. No need to change any water during the cycle. Five weeks later your rock will be cycled.
vegaskid11
vegasreefers.com
Both orders of Marco rocks I got needed a full cooking to clean them up. These rocks will are awesome, but they are chock full of organics.
lordofthereef
One reef to rule them all
+1 on RO water. No need to go salt just yet but I also would personally avoid tap. If you have a tds reader and know the TDS of the water going in, that would be helpful. To start off I would gives them a scrubbing or at least blast all of the loose particles with water. That will get a lot of junk off from the getgo.
I do understand why I shouldn't just place rocks in my DT but there seems to be different opinions on Marco Rocks. Some people just rinse them off and put it in their tanks while others soak them for a few weeks. Just to be on the safe side, I will place the rocks in a container along with saltwater from my water change this weekend as you suggested and a powerhead to circulate it. Do I need a heater in there as well?
vegaskid11
vegasreefers.com
Just take your dry marco rock and put it in some water for a couple days. Then have a whiff, You may throw up from the smell:lmao:
