Starting A 75g Reef Tank

[Heuchan]

I purchased a used saltwater system in December, but didnt set it up right away. I let the rocks sit for a few days out of water so they died. I read that wasnt the greatest choice buts its done now. So then I read scrub the dead rocks and soak them in water for a few weeks.I changed the water every few days and smelt it to make sure it didnt stink. I was convinced that the rocks were clean and had no smell. Removed the rocks from the water and let them sit in my garage for a week until my rodi system arrives. Once it arrived I began to fill my tank and add rocks. Now I notice a smell to the water that wasnt there when I had them soaking.
My question is can I save/use this rock at all? or should the water have some kind of smell to it?

 

[reeferkeeper420]

The rock should be fine. Its probably the left over crap decaying. If youcan remove the rocks and wash them again. Give them a good scrub and spray them off really well. Have you tested your tank for a cycle yet?

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Maybe running some carbon might help with the smell, not sure tho.

 

[Kevin Tran]

Maybe it is the smell of saltwater?

 

[Sewerat]

Likely just rocks cycling. If you didn't have them in heated circulating water with a skimmer it would take a couple weeks minimum.

 

[Heuchan]

I havent added salt to the water, I want to make sure the plumbing is good.
I can let it run for a few weeks and test the water, I'm in no rush to add anything yet.
thanks for the replys

 

[Sewerat]

So running the rocks not in salt water is going to do them no good need to get them in salt water. Even if in a Rubbermaid container with a heater and a circulatin pump

 

[Sewerat]

http://www.ecoliverock.org/menu-live-rock-knowledge/curing-live-rock something to read over.

 

[sunnykita]

http://www.ecoliverock.org/menu-live-rock-knowledge/curing-live-rock something to read over.

short and sweet ! great article !

 

[barebottomcouple]

http://www.ecoliverock.org/menu-live-rock-knowledge/curing-live-rock something to read over.

great short and sweet this article should come with rock when you by it ... like owners manual lol

 

[Jewel]

Any updates on the progress, We are here to help.

 

[Heuchan]

Everything is running excellent. The smell is gone, fish are happy and corals are spreading. I want to set up a quarantine tank. I have 2 standard 20g tanks I want to set up. I was planning on using the space under a 55g metal stand. (I have cichlids in the 55g) I have always seen people use the bottom of their metal stands for another area for tanks. My question is it safe to do that? I have some plywood I can use to go under the two 20g tanks. I placed the tanks there to test fit them and they seem pretty snug against the legs of the stand. I just dont want my 55g tank come crashing down =/

 

[Jewel]

You should be fine, You'd be surprised how much weight you can put on those steel stands, Good idea.