Cycle with "dead" live rock

[Maldonado]

Ok so in the next week or two I will be getting into a 65g with a 20g sump installed. Am getting the set up with about 60-70lb of rocks that have been out of the water for at least 2 months. Now my question is, should I cycle the water with the rocks inside the tank? Or should I cycle the rocks first then add after?

 

[cmantis]

Might as well do it together unless you want a fish or two (low bio load) to watch while you cycle the rocks separate but if going with sand than that is going to have to cycle also so might as well do it all in tank.

 

[Maldonado]

another question I had : would I get that foul smell coming from the tank?

 

[marrone]

I would first cycle it in containers instead of the tank, as the rock may have phosphates and some are going to come out during the cycling process. Also, you should scrub the rock down with a brush before you start to cured them again.

 

[Maldonado]

Thanks!

 

[marrone]

another question I had : would I get that foul smell coming from the tank?

It's going to smell, but the amount will depend upon the amount of material on the LR, so it's probably better to do it in a bucket, where you can place a lid on top of it.

 

[Maldonado]

Thanks for the feedback

 

[leov]

what if the rock has been out of the tank for 3 years. Will it still get that fouls smell?

 

[marrone]

Ye,s if there is dead matter still on it. You want to take a brush and clean off any material from the rock before you start to cure it.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

I would look up acid bath to clean up the rock very good...

 

[jenny]

i am using Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter7 to cycle my dead rock or uncured rock from my last 2 saltwater setups. seen to be doing good for me.

 

[leov]

I would look up acid bath to clean up the rock very good...

Acid bath??? Can you please clarify.

 

[leov]

I would look up acid bath to clean up the rock very good...

Can you clarify acid bath???