making dead rock live agian

[nuch]

So now that i'm staying in the hobby (what was I thinking. lol), I'm upgrading my 170 to a 280. I got about 350 lbs of rock with the tank cause I kinda thought I was gonna set this thing up quick. The problem I'm having is now that the rock is dry, how can i save it. It's been out of water about 5 days. I'm going to take this build slow so I can't put this rock in the tank. I have a 75 gallon sump running on my 170. I have about 5 pieces in there now and 3 little pieces in my 30 gallon fuge. Can I take those out in a couple of days and put it in a saltwater bucket with a powerhead? and when i do my 20 gallon water change on my 170 use that water for the rocks in the bucket? So it's kinda like doing a water change on the rocks too. Then put in another 5 pieces in the sump etc.? Then by the time I am ready to make the switch put the rocks in the 280 and let that run with just rock and sand for about a week or 2 without live stock? Or is there another or better way?
Thanx

 

[thirty6]

do you have any brute containers? same thought as buckets, run heaters and powerheads. since your making the switch maybe put some extra rock in the 170 for time being as well. may not look pleasing to the eye but who cares its for the upgrade

 

[nuch]

Yes I have two 20 gallon brutes.

 

[B.BASH]

Good luck on the upgrade nuch. the rock is better off i n your system so it can reestablish the bacteria its needs nutrients to multiply . when you transfer it to the 280 there should be some source of nutrient in the water for the bacteria to feed off. when i did my upgrade i transferred my rock first and then the livestock about a week later. i had no spike in ammonia at all

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

Definitely use a big garbage can or rubbermaid with rock and water from your tank with a heater and a powerhead or 2. I have a 55 gallon rubbermaid if you want to borrow it..not sure if it will fit all the rock but it's a start.