Preparing Dry Rock

[nate_newton]

So I decided to get some Pukani from BRS. For those that have used dry rock before. What did you do to prepare it for a tank?

[MizTanks]

I bought 30lbs of BRS Pukani used only 25lbs in my tank. I cured it in a rubbermaid tub (instead of in tank) added a Korilia 550 and a big ole bag of carbon. Let it cook for 4wks. Then added it to my tank and cycled for 6wks. Never had nor have had a no2, no3 or ammonia spikes of any kind. That's it :)


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[nate_newton]

I bought 30lbs of BRS Pukani used only 25lbs in my tank. I cured it in a rubbermaid tub (instead of in tank) added a Korilia 550 and a big ole bag of carbon. Let it cook for 4wks. Then added it to my tank and cycled for 6wks. Never had nor have had a no2, no3 or ammonia spikes of any kind. That's it :)


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- IPhone+Tapatalk=I don't miss a thing!

Wow 25# seems like even a lot for your tank. It had a nice smell to it at first though right?

[MizTanks]

Lol-makes ya wanna hurl!! But the carbon worked wonderful. Had the tub in my living room the whole time and didn't smell a thing.
It may be more like 15-20lbs I'm bad at judging stuff like weight-unless it's my own :)

[nate_newton]

I thought maybe you got some special no smell rock.

[MizTanks]

I thought maybe you got some special no smell rock.

No it was definitely stinking. But then I watched a video on BRS about throwing a bag of carbon into the mix and damned if it didn't work. So what route you gonna take with your Nate?

[nate_newton]

No it was definitely stinking. But then I watched a video on BRS about throwing a bag of carbon into the mix and damned if it didn't work. So what route you gonna take with your Nate?

I ran mine in a turbulent 5g bucket of non saltwater for a few days, changing the water each day. Now I'm to saltwater with a little mb7 added.

Ever heard of liver of sulphur? It totally stinks like rotten egg. I use it to age metals when making chainmaille jewelry.

[Fish Dad]

How do you know its working or done cooking???? Been cooking in the garage since June so I'm ready for my setup.

Got some used Live rock that I put in a 15 gallon utility tote picked from HD, (works great big enough but yet can still be dumped for water changes.)

Rock seems to have changed since I first picked it up, gotten brighter and no more crap in the water when I change it.
A smell kicked in about July but think I went a little long between the water change, about 3 week and so swapped out and added carbon, hasn't smelled since.

[MizTanks]

How do you know its working or done cooking???? Been cooking in the garage since June so I'm ready for my setup.

Got some used Live rock that I put in a 15 gallon utility tote picked from HD, (works great big enough but yet can still be dumped for water changes.)

Rock seems to have changed since I first picked it up, gotten brighter and no more crap in the water when I change it.
A smell kicked in about July but think I went a little long between the water change, about 3 week and so swapped out and added carbon, hasn't smelled since.


I'm not sure I'm understanding you Fish Dad lol. Are you saying your cooking used live rock? Rock that you got from someone else? Was it dry when you got it?

[MizTanks]

I ran mine in a turbulent 5g bucket of non saltwater for a few days, changing the water each day. Now I'm to saltwater with a little mb7 added.

Ever heard of liver of sulphur? It totally stinks like rotten egg. I use it to age metals when making chainmaille jewelry.

After the rock was done cooking and added to my tank I used SeaChem Stability for bacteria. It worked great! Used as directed :)

[redemer123]

i got 100 pounds of dry rock from marco rocks and just let it cycle with my tank, nothing special

[MyNemesis]

I got an email from BRS a couple days ago. They have a new video about some aquascaping ideas with the rock that might be worth a look. Here is a link: BulkReefSupplyCom's Channel - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/BulkReefSupplyCom?utm_source=www.Bulkreefsupply.co m+Newsletter&utm_campaign=37daaa3491-BRS_TV_Pukani_Aquascaping_8_23_2011&utm_medium=email#p/u/0/8BdOqC_6ykU)
Sounds like the preparation is going according to plan. Have fun with your new rock!

[nate_newton]

I got an email from BRS a couple days ago. They have a new video about some aquascaping ideas with the rock that might be worth a look. Here is a link: BulkReefSupplyCom's Channel - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/BulkReefSupplyCom?utm_source=www.Bulkreefsupply.co m+Newsletter&utm_campaign=37daaa3491-BRS_TV_Pukani_Aquascaping_8_23_2011&utm_medium=email#p/u/0/8BdOqC_6ykU)
Sounds like the preparation is going according to plan. Have fun with your new rock!

Thanks I'll have to check out the video

[Fish Dad]

I'm not sure I'm understanding you Fish Dad lol. Are you saying your cooking used live rock? Rock that you got from someone else? Was it dry when you got it?

No the rock was damp but not dry, had been sitting outside for a while so thought it was better to start it as dry. Also is a lot cleaner looking and all the gunk is off it.

[MizTanks]

No the rock was damp but not dry, had been sitting outside for a while so thought it was better to start it as dry. Also is a lot cleaner looking and all the gunk is off it.

Great idea about starting it off as new :thumbsup: good luck and keep us posted :highfive3:

[burningbeard]

Got some dry rock from BRS for a frag tank. I didnt do anything special, put it in my tank and sump let it run for about 4 weeks and all is good. Never had any major ammonia spike, which made me nervous cause I all you hear about when cycling is the big ammonia spike. ( disclaimer I am totally new to reefing of any kind except for admiring it for years) But it cycled and my water peramiters are where they are suppose to be. Started running my light on week six for a couple hours a day and all is good. Patience was the key, and when I finally get a larger display tank I am going to go the same route with The dry rock from BRS. I feel that it was worth the little extra time it may have taken then just going with some live rock, which might get you some unwanted visitors.

[nate_newton]

Got some dry rock from BRS for a frag tank. I didnt do anything special, put it in my tank and sump let it run for about 4 weeks and all is good. Never had any major ammonia spike, which made me nervous cause I all you hear about when cycling is the big ammonia spike. ( disclaimer I am totally new to reefing of any kind except for admiring it for years) But it cycled and my water peramiters are where they are suppose to be. Started running my light on week six for a couple hours a day and all is good. Patience was the key, and when I finally get a larger display tank I am going to go the same route with The dry rock from BRS. I feel that it was worth the little extra time it may have taken then just going with some live rock, which might get you some unwanted visitors.

Be careful the unwanted also hitchhike with your coral.

[burningbeard]

Be careful the unwanted also hitchhike with your coral.
I hear that loud and clear, and thanks for the heads up. Its like danger lurks at every corner. With sites like this and all you Cats out there with the knowledge you all have is a great help and much appreciated.