getting my first 25# of LR any advice would be good

[califishnut]

Hey guys its me the newbie LOL i am going to get my first 25# of live rock {fiji} is there anything i need to do before i put it in the tank ??
P.S thanks everyone you guys are alot of help...
Dennis
55gallon
fluval 204
FL-40 aquari-lux
2 inch crushed shell bed
200 watt whisper heater
1 domino damsel
2 damsels that are brown with black stripes

 

[cboyfan2020]

I would buy a rubbermaid trashcan and put the rock in there with saltwater, a heater, and a power head till all levels(ammonia, nitrite) read zero. then you can add it to the tank and not have to worry about another mini-cycle. This is to get rid of the die off from shipping and such.
if you are still cycling you could just throw it in but it would prolong your cycle.

 

[ekclark]

I wouldn't worry about it prolonging your cycle...you will be getting a ton of good bacteria and it could speed your cycle. Make sure your salinity, temp, and such are where you want them. Enjoy your first load and maybe get a magnifying glass to see all the little guys that will come out to see their new world.

 

[mightyoxjuice]

I would remove the damsels and replace them with grocery store shrimp and then add the live rock.

 

[timo]

The worse new LR smells (like poop), is equal to the more severe of a cycle spike you'll have. If you're still cycling, and don't mind prolonging it, put the rock right in. Otherwise, go with the rubbermaid solution, which will "cure" it, meaning it allows for complete die off of the critters that were mortally weakened during transport. I do agree that many of the still alive critters that would be good for the tank will migrate away from the rock if you cure it out of the tank. Tough question.