How long to soak dry rock?

[acuario]

I have some dry rock that I have been soaking in a plastic tub in 78-degree saltwater for 10 days with no light. Both Day 8 and 10 show ammonia at 1.0 ppm and the nitrates 0 ppm. Can I put this rock in my new aquarium and fill it finally? If I should wait longer, what do I test or wait for?

 

[WaReefer458]

It has not fully cycled yet. You can finish the cycle process in your tank as long as it is empty but you are better off letting it complete. Should take 3-6 weeks if done correctly. You will see brown algae start growing on the rock. Then it will start dying off. Your ammonia should be 0 and nitrite 0 but you will start seeing nitrate creeping up. Once there is only nitrate when you test the water it should be ready.

 

[Higher Thinking]

It has not fully cycled yet. You can finish the cycle process in your tank as long as it is empty but you are better off letting it complete. Should take 3-6 weeks if done correctly. You will see brown algae start growing on the rock. Then it will start dying off. Your ammonia should be 0 and nitrate 0 but you will start seeing nitrite creeping up. Once there is only nitrite when you test the water it should be ready.

You have this backwards. After the ammonia spike, you will get a nitrite spike. Then the nitrate will appear. Once ammonia and nitrite are 0, the tank is cycled. But like was said earlier, if the tank is empty, you can just finish the cycle in the DT.

 

[shifty51008]

Depending on the rock i would check for phospates, some rock can be high and will require further steps

 

[WaReefer458]

You have this backwards. After the ammonia spike, you will get a nitrite spike. Then the nitrate will appear. Once ammonia and nitrite are 0, the tank is cycled. But like was said earlier, if the tank is empty, you can just finish the cycle in the DT.

Yes. I corrected it right after I posted it. You beat me to it lol.