RO/DI Water, Live Sand, Live Rock

M

mattyg18

New member
This is my first official post here and i'm happy to be a part of the community.

In the early stages of setting up my 60 gal cube for a reef. RO/DI unit arrived today and making water as we speak. Planning on beginning to cure 50lbs of Live Dry Rock tomorrow morning for about a month or so in a separate container in the garage. The live dry rock was power washed yesterday and left outside to dry. I was able to get a lot of junk off.

I'm just not sure of the correct order of what should be done first. I've heard mixed reviews from people that i've spoken with and i'm confused. Its a new-used setup that has been cleaned out and is dry now. Based upon what i've heard, my plan was to begin with the Live Sand, then the RO/DI water. The rock won't be cured for another month. I've read that some people recommend adding the rock before the sand and I understand why however...in my case the rock won't be cured.

So do I wait a month until the rock is cured until I set up the tank to cycle? Is it ok to put non-cured live dry rock in a new tank setup? Should I just cycle the tank with water, live sand and damsels for now?

I'm just not sure of what to do at this point? Its a bit confusing and overwhelming at the same time.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
 
Ok here is my advice and what I have done.

I have cycled my rock in Rubbermaid containers as it's easier and less work. You do 100% water changes every week until cured. (100% Dark 24/7 days). The only time you check maybe to do top off water at night.
I won't put sand in till live rock is done. I cut pvc and lay the rock on it. I mahe my pvc 1.5" and my sand depth I want is 2"

NOTE DONT USE DAMSELS Use a uncooked shrimp. I would leave tank empty till rock is done.

The Rock again you can use either pure ammonia or a uncooked shrimp. My Rock took 2 months since I had a lot of algae on it. Make sure your TDS is 0 for your makeup water
 
Drillsar - Thanks for the quick reply. I am curing the rock in a big rubbermaid container with a lid. Also have a heater and pump in there.

Just to be clear you are suggesting to leave the tank empty and dry until the rock is cured? Or did you mean to start cycling it with water only?

Also did you recommend using a shrimp for the rock in the rubbermaid container, and the tank?

Thanks
 
oops What I did was use pure ammonia in rubbermaid container. However, you can use uncooked shrimp. I didn't put any water in my tank till rock was cured.
 
I'm in the same boat, setting up a new/used 75g. I have been out of the saltwater hobby about 10 years but I'm about to start curing my dry rock and will just wait until its done to set everything up. I learned from previous mistakes and trying to go too fast in the past. The live sand will probably go through a smaller cure cycle once initially in the tank anyway. I figure this time I'll go slow and not try not to have a cycle going on every time I put something new in the tank. Plus I'm using Pukani rock and I've read where it can up to 8 weeks to stop leaching phosphates. RODI unit should be here at the end of the week and I'll start curing the rock.

Just my .02 but I'm waiting til rock is cured. Good luck with your build!
 
I definitely won't. Curious to the reasoning if you have the time to explain. Can I use any live fish or do you just recommend uncooked shrimp? Its disappointing that the tank will be empty now for 3-4 months now between the rock cycle and then the tank cycle but it is what it is.

Thanks again!
 
I would use uncooked shrimp or pure ammonia method. A fish would be stressed under a cycle. When you add fish later yes will cycle again but a faster process than now. Yes I hear ya but patience is key
 
Just curious why I can't start cycling the tank with the live sand while the rock is curing in the rubbermaid container? Figure it should take about the same amount of time?
 
still need a ammonia source. Did you buy it in bag? If so kind of just useless not really live sand. Could of saved money and just used regular sand.
 
Well you can just add rock to your tank with a ammonia source if you want to. Keep in mind though curing rock in rubbermaid's in my opinion will help with phosphates. Curing process puts your tank at a high nutrient level and with easier water changes. I cooked my rock basically 24/7 days I kept rock without light and the crap that came off everytime was amazing. if rock looks clean than throw it in tank with ammonia source. My rock wasnt pulled from a system that used tap water.
 
well the sand is most likely dead sand. I personally wouldn't use old sand. Sand is cheap at petco for dry aragonite sand like $6 for like 10lbs. You only want like a 2" or less sand bed for looks
 
The rock i bought from bulk reef. I power washed it and got a lot of junk off. It doesn't look great but good. So do you think i could just cure it in the tank with the sand while the tank is cycling? And of course I would add the uncooked shrimp for ammonia.
 
Just throw rock in, uncooked shrimp, test it and use PVC to put rock on. Cut the pvc 1.5" put holes in it.so rock can go on it. Than after cycle add sand around 2"


here is a sample
 

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mattyg18 said:
Just curious why I can't start cycling the tank with the live sand while the rock is curing in the rubbermaid container? Figure it should take about the same amount of time?
Click to expand...

No problem in doing that way to, its just a matter of preference. It would at least give you a tank to look at while the rock is finishes up.
 
Drills - Looks like the water level is pretty low in that pic? Am I running the sump while the rock is cycling in the tank?
 
that was a tank a long time ago. The water level is low because I was adding sand was done cycling.

since you want something to look at put rock in tank (NO SAND) using pvc standoffs like I shown. After cycle siphon the bottom really good than add sand. Like I said though it's easier in my opinion using rubbermaid containers to cure rock.

Things you will need for each container Pump, Ammonia source, Heater..Water changes every week If you don't have that than just throw it in tank and run it's course
 
YEs Sump and Skimmer.. NO LIGHTS!!!!!!!! I put blanket on mine until cycled. Now if you had live stuff on rock would be a different course
 
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