Can you cycle rock too long?

Ssteve · 09/13/2015, 04:27 PM

I am a couple months away from building a tank, but was thinking that it might be a good time to start cycling some rock...?

I planned to go get a large plastic trash can and add water, heater and powerhead, some ammonia, and let it sit. If I dont get a tank up for say three to four months, could there be issues?

shifty51008 · 09/13/2015, 04:36 PM

you will be perfectly fine once you cycle the rock just leave it in the container with a lid so it's dark with the heater and powerhead in it. you'll be doing the same thing as cooking the rock which is just a way of getting rid of algae but keeping the rock live.

Ssteve · 09/13/2015, 04:41 PM

temp at 76-78 and salinity about 26 and call it good?

shifty51008 · 09/13/2015, 04:44 PM

26ppt or 1.026? I would go with the 1.026 or 35ppt for salinity and yes call it good.

Ssteve · 09/13/2015, 04:59 PM

yeah sorry I meant 1.026.. I forget some use ppt.

whosurcaddie · 09/13/2015, 05:53 PM

This is a good idea your rock will be really mature by the time you get ready to use it. Since you wont be using this water I would really kick up the ammonia. A normal dose for cycling a tank is 2ppm I would push it to 5ppm. Don't be afraid to dose ammonia every couple weeks either to keep the bacteria fed and going strong.

09/13/2015, 04:27 PM	#1
Ssteve Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 2,087	Can you cycle rock too long? I am a couple months away from building a tank, but was thinking that it might be a good time to start cycling some rock...? I planned to go get a large plastic trash can and add water, heater and powerhead, some ammonia, and let it sit. If I dont get a tank up for say three to four months, could there be issues?

09/13/2015, 04:36 PM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	you will be perfectly fine once you cycle the rock just leave it in the container with a lid so it's dark with the heater and powerhead in it. you'll be doing the same thing as cooking the rock which is just a way of getting rid of algae but keeping the rock live. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

09/13/2015, 04:44 PM	#4
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	26ppt or 1.026? I would go with the 1.026 or 35ppt for salinity and yes call it good. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

09/13/2015, 04:41 PM	#3
Ssteve Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 2,087	temp at 76-78 and salinity about 26 and call it good?

09/13/2015, 04:59 PM	#5
Ssteve Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 2,087	yeah sorry I meant 1.026.. I forget some use ppt.

09/13/2015, 05:53 PM	#6
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	This is a good idea your rock will be really mature by the time you get ready to use it. Since you wont be using this water I would really kick up the ammonia. A normal dose for cycling a tank is 2ppm I would push it to 5ppm. Don't be afraid to dose ammonia every couple weeks either to keep the bacteria fed and going strong.