New live rock question

[nikki_kaiser]

I read that if you soak new live rock (it is cured) in a saltwater solution that is at a 1.030 you can get rid of hitchhikers. I also read that some people do a freshwater dip or a very low salinity level dip. I'm creating a small 20 gallon holding tank for when I decide to add anything or isolate issues. It would do me no good if I introduce parasites or pests. I guess what my question is, how do I get rid of these things before I begin to cycle this tank? Can the live rock along with live sand cycle the tank with no fish added? Thank you!

 

[crister13]

Only if it has a lot of due off. And I would just add it to the tank, but if this is a hospital or quarantine you shouldn't have rock or sand. Bare bottom with no decorations except for PVC pipes. It absorbs meds.

 

[nikki_kaiser]

It's more for when I get something new, I can put it in there for 30 days to make sure it is disease and parasite free. My issue is that I don't want to start off with nasty things in the holding tank. I have a 10 gallon tank I can use for treating anything that gets sick (haven't used it for that yet thank goodness!) etc. Basically I'm setting it up as a regular tank.