One more cycle question, live rock that has dried for 2 weeks.

[BinaryRun]

Hello,

I have one final question. I have bought live rock about a week ago and it has now been out of the former owners tank for about 2 weeks. It is smelling a bit, but not too bad. (Although I did close the lid of the box because who needs to smell that. xD)

Now I finally have enough RO/DI water ready and added the salt. Next to that I completely rinsed my sand and made sure that it no longer makes water looks like milk.

Anyway, this rock as been out of the water for 2 weeks to 1.5 weeks, but it's still damp. My plan for tomorrow is to place the rocks right out of the box, then the sand and finally the water. Then let it sit for a while as the rocks cures / cycles etc. The main question I have is, will the live rock still have some bacteria left to assist in the seeding process? A LFS tried to sell me bottled bacteria when I came to pickup a test-kit, but I didn't go for it.

Second small question. Do I need to do anything else with the rock before I place it in? I figured it would be best to let it cure the way it currently is, but I would appreciate further opinions.

 

[gone fishin]

Depending on how porous the rock is and how damp it stayed it may have a bit of bacterial life left to it, only time will tell. I would speculate there may be a some dead organic matter, the smell, that would start the cycle/cure going.

I personally have not used any of the bacteria in a bottle products that some folks have used. I would set it up give it a day or so do some testing every day to see if you pick up any ammonia. If after a few days then you may need to provide an ammonia source to get things going. Good luck just my 2 cents.

 

[anthonys51]

i would think most of the stuff on and in those rocks will probably be dead now. i would rinse them off in saltwater before adding them to me tank. some bacteria might probably be alive, Wouldn't add an ammonia, the smell means there is enough to seed the tank

 

[Tisbe]

i would think most of the stuff on and in those rocks will probably be dead now. i would rinse them off in saltwater before adding them to me tank. some bacteria might probably be alive, Wouldn't add an ammonia, the smell means there is enough to seed the tank

I second this.

 

[anthonys51]

I second this.

can i third this or is that not allowed :lolspin:

 

[BinaryRun]

Would you guys recommend that I buy some live rock or bottled stuff to get some extra bacteria or just hope that any remaining bacteria will do the trick?

 

[mcgyvr]

Would you guys recommend that I buy some live rock or bottled stuff to get some extra bacteria or just hope that any remaining bacteria will do the trick?

No need IMO..

 

[gone fishin]

Would you guys recommend that I buy some live rock or bottled stuff to get some extra bacteria or just hope that any remaining bacteria will do the trick?

I would not.

 

[Snorkel79]

I would set up the tank with the rocks and start testing within a day or 2.

If you start to see ammonia rise within a day or 2, your cycle has started.

I myself have never dosed Ammonia, I've always used LR to cycle. Nor have I used any bacteria additives other than what came with live sand.

 

[75mixedreef]

That bottled stuff is pretty much like snake oil. Most don't even have any live bacteria, they just have the building blocks for it so it multiplies faster. It is something the fish stores talk up because it is a simple sell to people new to the hobby. Everyone wants things faster and that's exactly what the bottle says it does. Usually they say to buy the bottle and a cheap fish like a chromis or some damsel. Its an easy $15-20 or for them. Long term you will see no benefit to it and short term you might see a slight difference.

 

[Tisbe]

That bottled stuff is pretty much like snake oil. Most don't even have any live bacteria, they just have the building blocks for it so it multiplies faster. It is something the fish stores talk up because it is a simple sell to people new to the hobby. Everyone wants things faster and that's exactly what the bottle says it does. Usually they say to buy the bottle and a cheap fish like a chromis or some damsel. Its an easy $15-20 or for them. Long term you will see no benefit to it and short term you might see a slight difference.

I second, third and forth this: if it's allowed. :fun4:

IMO, no snake oil, just patience & good husbandry will get you through.

 

[thegrun]

Back in the day I agree that the bottled bacteria was worthless, but that is no longer the case with several very good products on the market. Your tank will certainly cycle on its own without adding bacteria, but you can certainly speed things up by adding Dr.Tims One and Only or one of the other trusted bacteria products are shorten the cycle to likely less than a week.