should i start a rock tank?

i am planning on getting a 48x18x24 (90 gal?) made after a holiday in a couple months. (might have to make another thread about that!)
it will replace a 48x15x18 i bought ages ago but never ended up using.

theres still a bit to get for the 90 but i was thinking, would it be a good idea to fill the smaller tank with water temporarily and start adding a couple pieces of rock each week so that when i can get the new tank the contents can be swapped over in the hopes of reducing the cycle/giving the rock a head start to develop bacteria?

• the rock would go into the smaller tank with a powerhead and maybe a pump here and there for some circulation.
• i would prefer it if this could be done with minimal/no water changes as its only for rock
• would probably be a mix of live and base rock
• i have a 2 bulb T5 fitting if that would be needed, but i dont think it is?
• have a skimmer that could hang on the tank if that would be needed but again dont think it would be?
• *edit - this would be run as bare bottom just for the rocks
• *everything would be put in buckets/bins and swapped over adding substrate after the new tank is made and plumbed

i've sold it to the boss she still doesnt fully understand what i'm talking about so it was more of a polite 'that sounds like a good idea' lol

so does anyone here have any thoughts, suggestions or words of encouragement for this?

thanks

 

seems like a good idea!

 

I'd wait...filterless LR bins tend to build up ammonia and good inverts on the rock die. Plus it stinks...Just get precured LR when you set up, it will be easier.

 

what sort of filtration would you consider adequate for a LR bin?
i'm happy to add things to the equation if theres anything missing or cycle some base rock first if that would help keep things alive?

 

Not really sure about the filtration, but I know you should definately [at least]
put in a powerhead/airstone to give flow to the rock/living organisms onit. IMO & IME it is better to just get precured rock at your LFS. But if you want to cure it...go for it
Good Luck!
JJL

 

the live and base rock at my LFS is always sitting in 2 big tanks they have so it might be cured already?
i do plan on throwing in some cheap powerheads for flow.

basically i guess i'd be setting up a bare bottom tank with no fish and hoping to avoid regular water changes
really i want to be able to spread the cost out and also let it mature as much as possible before the real tank is ready so that i'm not waiting as long for it to become stable enough to add some life

 

I have a 55 gallon tank I use as my "LR Tank". I keep a powerhead in their for circulation and that's it. I top it off, feed it a little, and I can set up a tank anywhere anytime.

I've had this tank going for about 6 years now. You're not going to get ammonia in there unless you let the tank water get wacky and it all dies. Top off, circulation and a little little food and you'll keep it cycled however long you want.

 

thats exactly what i was looking for! was hoping it could be as simple as that, thanks!
will order some cheap power heads now i think

 

I'd thro a peice of eggcrate under the rock as die off will fall and form a "mud" on the bottom. Run some carbo to keep tje water clear

 

will probably throw some down to protect the glass from the rock but i figure it will be easy enough to suck out any die off/detritus if needed.
i'll probably end up doing a little maintenance to keep it in good shape anyway, just nothing like weekly water changes.
actually getting a little bit excited about this now, will feel like i'm one step closer to the bigger tank