So i got 50lbs of "Mature" LR...what next?

[king_neptune]

Is a cycle even possible?
The guy I baught it from had it in his tank for three years but recently put it in a tub with a power head and heater.
Its been like that for a couple days. It still had some critters on it when I got home, so its pretty fresh stuff.
Most of it is covered in Coraline, got that nice rich purple hue.
Do i still cycle? or rather can I still cycle? how does this vary from buying it online and having to cycle my tank for the first time?
Whats the right way to proceed?
I am personally going to order another 50lbs in about 2 weeks from SWF.com
since ill be adding more to the tank anyways...do I just wait till then before I try to cycle? or should I go ahead and toss in the shrimp now, and put the next 50lb batch in just the same.

 

[mkroher]

It's not worth the risk. You've come this long with your build, a couple more weeks won't hurt.
I would put that rock in now, and put the shrimp in. Watch your levels. You'll build a bacteria colony to support the current bio load (small shrimp).
When it cycles, you can add an animal.
I think SWF sells uncured rock (I'm going to double check). This rock I would not add to the tank until it's fully cured.

 

[mkroher]

From SWF:
"Once you receive your rock, you must re-cure the rock for at least a week. During shipping some of the beneficial bacteria will die off. Do not add this directly to an existing tank!"

 

[king_neptune]

OK, im repeating to make sure im not messing this up:
Basicly order the 50lbs I was going to, and in the mean time add some shrimp today to begin the cycle.
In 2 weeks time when the 50lbs comes in the mail from SWF.com, just go ahead and add it in, in which case the levels will continue to spike, and then eventually drop.
Thus ill have 100lbs total and a tank that is freshly cycled, and ready to begin my journey.

 

[bizzmoneyb]

sounds good.
id put all the rock in, wait about two weeks then test your levels. id suspect there will be some die off on the shipped rock you're receiving so you will probably get abit of a spike.

 

[sepulatian]

Watch your ammonia carefuly if you are going to add the shipped rock into the tank with the mature rock. The ammonia spike can kill the hitchikers on the rock that you have now. If I were you, I would cure the shipped rock seperately. There can be a lot more die off than you think. If you decide to do it together then be sure to have a good amout of salt water pre-mixed for water changes.
As far as the cycle goes, the mature rock already has biological bacteria on it. You just have to provide the ammonia source to keep that bacteria alive. Chances are that you are not going to see a typical "cycle" that one would see if the bacteria were not already established on the rock.

 

[barreltwist]

A question off of this.......When you get live rock from a local store do you need to cure it too or do you just put it in the tank?

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by barreltwist
http:///forum/post/3111535
A question off of this.......When you get live rock from a local store do you need to cure it too or do you just put it in the tank?
It is best to cure any new rock. Put it in a bucket with a powerhead for three or four weeks. Test for ammonia. An added benefit to this is that if there are parasites on your rock, they will be dead without a fish to host.
If you are not going to quarantine your rock then at least add it to the bucket for a few days to see if the ammonia spikes, unless you know for a fact that it has been at the store for a few weeks. Larger stores get new rock in at least once a week and it is not fully cured.

 

[deejeff442]

i have bought rock from the same guy a few times i always put it in a tote for a few days and see what it does.
one time i bought 100 lbs after two days the ammonia was crazy high another time i bought 200 lbs and in a cople days hardly any readings.
so just to be safe i would put it in a tote and check it.younever know what it will do untill you test.
i was at a lfs yesterday the lr was priced at $9.99 a lb.crazy

 

[spanko]

Agree with Sep here. Put the rock from the guy in the display or sump or wherever you it is going to end up. It should be fine and by doing some ghost feeding you should be able to keep the bacteria colony viable. The new rock should be cured in a separate container before adding to the system.