Does dry rock need to be cooked/cured?

[AriMiko43]

I have ordered 150lbs of dry rock from BRS. I will be setting up a new tank in about a month or so. The tank will be a 120-180 gallon [still haven't decided yet]. My question is when I receive this dry rock, do I have to set up bins of saltwater and cook/cure this rock? I'm sure there is stuff in these rocks that has dried out. Also should I place the rocks in the bins and add a cycling product? ex: stability? bio-spira? Please give me any advice on how to do this. Thank you

 

[KathyC]

You will need to cycle the rock.
Depending on whether there is anything on it to die off will determine whether you need to add nothing or if you might want to drop a raw cocktail shrimp in there to create some ammonia to start the cycle.

Nothing else is needed.

 

[AriMiko43]

You will need to cycle the rock.
Depending on whether there is anything on it to die off will determine whether you need to add nothing or if you might want to drop a raw cocktail shrimp in there to create some ammonia to start the cycle.

Nothing else is needed.

Thank you Kathy. This rock is dry and I'm sure it was once live at one point. I wonder if I should set up a bin and place all the rock inside and do a water change every week and swish the rocks around in the water to clear out any debris. I added a raw shrimp to my 65 gallon when I cycled it, I supposed I can do the same to jumpstart the cycle. I would like to make this rock live and free of phosphates. I guess I can even tank a handful of sand from my 65 gallon and use it to seed the rock?

 

[AriMiko43]

Also what kind of dry sand can I use for this tank? I want to keep this tank start up free of any pest.

 

[KathyC]

If you set it up in a bin when you receive it you will need to provide a powerhead (for circulation & oxygenation) and a heater. No need for sand. The shrimp will start up the ammonia for you. No point in sand from a tank as most of what would be in it will die off during the high ammonia phase of the cycle.
Use rodi water and you won't have to worry about the phosphates either (well, not from the rock anyway )

If it is fully cured when you do set up your tank, it will definitely help speed the cycle along.

I personally like the color of the Carib Sea sands, but you can also get bagged dry sand at most Petland Discount stores. There would not be any pests in there. I would skip the Home Deport stuff.