what process should be used w/ all dry rock

Sidewaze67 · 09/19/2012, 10:54 PM

Hello looking for a few pointers if I use all dry rock. I have a 90g with a 20g sump/refuge a 6L light w/timer and roughly 600gph flow and have 2 1300gph powerheads but no water yet lol. I have 40lbs of Key Largo rock with another 100 coming next week along with my RO/DI system. If I use all dry rock what do i need to add to the water to start the process I read something about Dr.Tims (I think) if I use this is there any issue of adding live rock to it after a short period. I was planning on putting some in the refuge and maybe 10lbs to the DT but not sure yet. This is my first so I'm not in a big rush to populate it and ready to let it run with just rock and water. Just looking for pointers or pitfalls with this plan. Thanks for any help and great site.

billdogg · 09/20/2012, 05:50 AM

Starting with all dry rock, all you have to add is water, and maybe a nice cocktail shrimp to kickstart the cycle. A good idea to help things along is to get a cup or two of live sand from your LFS or another hobbiest in the area. Really though, you do not have to do even that. I have started all my tanks using 100% dry rock. As you add fish and corals (after the cycle period) you will be introducing things to your tank that hitchhike in with them.

Tinkanator2000 · 09/20/2012, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

Starting with all dry rock, all you have to add is water, and maybe a nice cocktail shrimp to kickstart the cycle. A good idea to help things along is to get a cup or two of live sand from your LFS or another hobbiest in the area. Really though, you do not have to do even that. I have started all my tanks using 100% dry rock. As you add fish and corals (after the cycle period) you will be introducing things to your tank that hitchhike in with them.

+1

Also remember to rinse that stuff, just in case. You never really know where or how they stored it all.

FlyFishGuy · 09/20/2012, 10:17 AM

I did the same (all dry rock) with my 90 about 6 months ago. Two items of note:

1. Dry rock is lighter than live rock. I ordered 100 lbs and used only 75-80. 6 months later - its probably 100 lbs of live rock again (encrusted with various forms of life - and able to retain water substantially more than when dry/dead rock).
2. I added two small pieces of nice live rock from another tank to introduce coralline algae and beneficial bacteria - seemed to produce nice results quickly.

Just two pennies!

09/19/2012, 10:54 PM	#1
Sidewaze67 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 46	what process should be used w/ all dry rock Hello looking for a few pointers if I use all dry rock. I have a 90g with a 20g sump/refuge a 6L light w/timer and roughly 600gph flow and have 2 1300gph powerheads but no water yet lol. I have 40lbs of Key Largo rock with another 100 coming next week along with my RO/DI system. If I use all dry rock what do i need to add to the water to start the process I read something about Dr.Tims (I think) if I use this is there any issue of adding live rock to it after a short period. I was planning on putting some in the refuge and maybe 10lbs to the DT but not sure yet. This is my first so I'm not in a big rush to populate it and ready to let it run with just rock and water. Just looking for pointers or pitfalls with this plan. Thanks for any help and great site.

09/20/2012, 05:50 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Starting with all dry rock, all you have to add is water, and maybe a nice cocktail shrimp to kickstart the cycle. A good idea to help things along is to get a cup or two of live sand from your LFS or another hobbiest in the area. Really though, you do not have to do even that. I have started all my tanks using 100% dry rock. As you add fish and corals (after the cycle period) you will be introducing things to your tank that hitchhike in with them. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

09/20/2012, 10:17 AM	#4
FlyFishGuy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Solon, OH Posts: 70	I did the same (all dry rock) with my 90 about 6 months ago. Two items of note: 1. Dry rock is lighter than live rock. I ordered 100 lbs and used only 75-80. 6 months later - its probably 100 lbs of live rock again (encrusted with various forms of life - and able to retain water substantially more than when dry/dead rock). 2. I added two small pieces of nice live rock from another tank to introduce coralline algae and beneficial bacteria - seemed to produce nice results quickly. Just two pennies!