View Full Version : Adding dry rock after cycle okay?
Rakie
04/04/2016, 04:48 PM
My tank just finished cycling but I wanted to add a little more shelf rock, got 2lbs of dry shelf from Bulk reef supply and planned to dip in RO/DI water with Vinegar, and add to tank.
Is this a bad idea?
12g Nano
AL115 Skimmer
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrites: 0ppm
Nitrates: 40ppm
thegrun
04/04/2016, 04:50 PM
Assuming the dry rock does not have a lot of dried on organics you should be fine adding a little. When adding a substantial amount (30%+) of new dry rock I think it's safer to cycle first in a separate container, but you are not adding much so it should not be an issue.
Any critters in the tank?
It won't hurt, but if raw, it's likely going to give you quite a hair algae snit. You might instead put it in an open saltwater bucket with a bubbler and let it percolate for a while, with water changes, to let it release the phosphate (hair algae cause) it might bring.
Rakie
04/04/2016, 05:33 PM
Thanks Mike & Sk8r, and my tank just finished cycle but it's empty aside from 2 snails that made it on my seed rock.-- That's about what I was expecting. After a quick RO/DI rinse to get the rocks/sand out, I noticed a good amount of dead organics that were hiding in the rock. From dead Macro, to little sponges, and something in some type of shell..
I totally forgot about the phosphates / hair algae. I've got a small PH/Heater I use to make SW, I'll be putting it in a bucket with like 2-3g of SW
So how long should I let this stuff stew in a bucket?
jminick2
04/04/2016, 06:06 PM
I added dry shelf rock from brs to my 120g for my initial cycle gave me a monster ammonia spike. This stuff has a lot of dead stuff in the cracks so be aware, I never had algae issues from the rock.
lmforbis
04/04/2016, 06:40 PM
I like to soak dry rock for about a week in water. Just regular water. It will stink to high heaven so outside is best otherwise in a container with a tight lid. After that I just rinse it thoroughly in my sink then in it goes. A couple months ago I added 30 lb of BRS pukani this way. It was probably half my rock volume in my established 125 and had no ammonia issues and no algae issues.
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