Have Live Rock but Tank Isnt Set Up

[hops523]

Today I bought about 40 pounds of live rock from a guy who needed it sold. I dont have my tank set up yet, but will this weekend. I have the rock in a couple buckets but Im not too sure on what I should do now. Should I add some saltwater to the buckets and let them sit till this weekend? I realize either way all the organisms will probably die, but is it really a big deal? This kind of happend to me the last time I set up a tank, but the rock was all in an empty tank with water and no heater, but when I put it in the main tank it came back alive eventually. If anyone can tell me the best option for now, that would really help.
Thanks

 

[spanko]

Yes get some saltwater at the correct Sg, a heater at the correct temp, and a power head for flow into the buckets with the rock. You want to limit the die off that is occurring.

 

[hops523]

Alright, I think I have a ten gallon tank lying around somewhere, or I actually have a couple big tubs as well. I will put all the rock in there, and add some water with the correct salinity, and put a heater and power head in there. Thanks a lot for the quick reply.

 

[hops523]

Not good news. I think I have to come up with some else. I realized I dont have any water dechlorinator, and all the pet stores are closed. Is there anyway I can just mix all the salt with water, and still have put the live rock in there without any water dechlorinator?

 

[jrod4u]

I use tap water and mix with my salt. never have used dechlorinator and my tank seems fine over a year now

 

[small triggers]

if you are just setting it up tp keep die off to a minimum, use tap water, just dont transfer that water over to the tank when you set it up....