Liverock cycle

[Massimo]

I'll be buying liverock for my tank. About 50 pounds of liverock that's been in this guys tank for 2 years. Will my cycle be short since I'm using only liverock that's already been established for a long time? If there is die off, I have Tim's one and only bacteria to get rid of the remaining ammonia

 

[Mebbid]

As long as the rock is kept wet there should be a very minimal amount of die off from the rock and the cycle should be over very very quickly.

 

[dmolavi]

Your cycle should be done in a week or so assuming no major die-off. Just test daily, and once your readings are good for about 3 or 4 consecutive days, I'd say you're done. (Some say the 3-4 day thing is excessive. I prefer to call it an abundance of caution.)

 

[mr_X]

Actually, you shouldn't have any cycle if you transport the rock submerged in water and it's not over heated or cooled during the trip. the only thing you should see is a diatom bloom on the new surfaces.
Are you adding this rock to other rock or will this be your only rock? What size tank?

 

[Ingy]

I would forget about the Tim's additive. If there is ammonia from a possible mini cycle, it wont help fix the die off problem. It will only mask the problem by ridding you of the ammonia. If there is a mini cycle, let it go until it does its thing. But I tend to agree with Doug here, probably no cycle. It moved well over 120lbs of LR and a tank. LR stayed in coolers full of water for a FEW days with a heater but no water movement. Once the tank was cleaned and set up, sand, rocks and water went in. Almost no cycle. Well hit 0.25 for 1 day then right to 0.

 

[Massimo]

Okay thanks for the advice guys, but unfortunately I won't be getting the liverock anymore. I'll be buying 40 pounds of dry rock!