I got some dry rock and it had algae and dead bristle worms on it so I bleached it at 2parts bleach 10 parts water let it soak for 3 days and then rinsed and rinsed again let it sit and it smells awful any suggestions on how to get rid of smell or can I put it in a tank and cycle it even though it smells
Smelly Rock
- Thread starter andrew
- Start date
If the bleach smell is gone then you can cycle it in the tank. Just watch for any nutrient spikes. If it does just do a small water change. If it is a large amount of rock then it could be a problem more so then a few pieces of rock. How many rocks?
Sewerat
Super Active Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2014
- Location
- Brooksdale, Ontario
I would cycle it in a Rubbermaid tote, not your tank. Do a water change on your DT, save the water to submerge the rock, add some kind of water movement, power head, air stone, if you can a heater and if you have one a p skimmer. Let it run for a few weeks, changing some of the water every couple days, again from your DT to save water. And give the rock water a test every now and then for ammonia nitrites and nitrates. When that's at 0 you are cycled and ready to transplant into main system.
Sewerat
Super Active Member
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- May 22, 2014
- Location
- Brooksdale, Ontario
Also don't forget to give the rocks a scrub with a soft bristle brush. Can even do it a few times if req while they are cycling. That is why I say in a tote not your DT. No mess to have to worry about
Jewel
Guest
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- Oct 11, 2011
- Location
- Wingham Ontario
Ya what Sewart said, Or throw it in a big plastic drum and keep the heat on it, Circulate it for a month with water changes, should be good to go after that.
Jewel
Guest
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- Oct 11, 2011
- Location
- Wingham Ontario
Ive even put it in a tote outside let it sit in the cold fresh air, scrub it then ad to your tank slowly.
curiousphil
Super Active Member
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- Apr 15, 2013
- Location
- London, Ontario
If the tank is empty what's the harm in letting it cycle in the tank? Seems like a lot of extra work for no payoff to me.
scubasteve
Distinguished Member
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- May 4, 2014
- Location
- Cambridge, Ontario
any new lr i use i always put in a bin with an airstone till it no longer stinks normally goes from rancid to no smell in a couple weeks if you put it in stinky you will have alot more algae issues for the first month than you would other wise... add pics once you start throwing it together we love pics 
Sewerat
Super Active Member
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- May 22, 2014
- Location
- Brooksdale, Ontario
My rock cureing station. A work in progress still but I can cure about 75lbs I think at least. This is an old 55gal I have that broke the top rim so it started to bow in the middle that's why the ratchet strap.
EricTMah
Aquariums by Design
I'm with phil on this one.
Would be a different story if trying to introduce this to an already established system. But in a new one. I'd do it right in the tank. Just keep the lights off while it's doing its thing and keep the skimmer pumping!
barebottomcouple
Member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2014
- Location
- Hanover, Ontario
back in the day we always just cycled a system with rock let it do its thing no lites some circulation a skimmer and heat and a 4-6 week wait
Jewel
Guest
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2011
- Location
- Wingham Ontario
It's still a good way BareBottom, The thing about being old school is we are so versatile. Theres something to be said for experience.
Old school is good because it lets you understand the nitrogen cycle and the different algae that grow depending on where you are in the cycle and you get to experience it for yourself. It also teaches you patience in the reef hobby. That lesson alone is well worth doing it old school.