Live rock introduction?

[enemec1]

I will be picking up about a hundred pounds of live rock and some sand this weekend. I started making salt water for my 75g tank this pass sunday. I will have the tank up and running before the rock arrives.

What advice can anyone give me to get this all up and running?
What do I test the water for before I put the rock in?
Since the rock has been in an established tank what will my cycle time look like?

 

[Lpabsolute]

First put your sand in your tank. Then mix your water and salt in a bucket. Then fill the tank half way with water. Then put your rock in the tank. The top off the tank with the rest of your water. Once the water clears you can arrange your rock the way you want it.

 

[enemec1]

what about the temp of the water?

 

[GARFVolunteer]

enemec1,

Salinity 35ppt (Specific Gravity around ~1.025)
Temp somewhere between 75 and 84 degrees F. I personally keep mine at 79 +/- .8 degrees.
A powerhead to keep water movement.

The rock may or may not need curing depending on how it is treated. I picked up a tank full of rock last weekend and kept it in tank water during transit so there was minimal die off so there really wasn't any cycle time. The longer it is out of the water or exposed to extreme temps, the more die off it will have so there will be a cycle time. I find running a skimmer will help somewhat.

Monitor Ammonia and nitrites for a few days. If the is no ammonia or nitrite spike there really isn't a cycle from the rock except for nitrates which will be handled depending on the type of system you have... Keep in mind if there is no ammonia or nitrite spike the rock will need to be fed. I just add a little pinch of flake food as though there were fish in it.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[enemec1]

thanks for the help.

 

[jimbo045]

When placeing in the rock make sure you stack it nicely to provide little cracks and holes where the water can pass through. Try not to just dense stack. JD

 

[Lpabsolute]

I keep my temp at 78.5-79.5

 

[enemec1]

can I stock my fuge a week after the live rock is in the tank? I plan on a sand bed and some live rock rubble with chito. Dose this sound like a good fuge?