dead live rock :)

[Leo]

Hello everyone. I have taken out my huge drum of saved rock from years ago. I had a 120 gallon reef.
Kinda forgot how beautiful these pieces were. I selected a bunch for my future 34 gallon tank (in progress) (starting small this time) and I have them in a new garbage container with RODI water mixed to the correct salinity, I threw in 5 turbo snails and a couple of those nasty little fishes (forgot the name) to get the rocks going. My question is do I need to put some light on this? even a few hrs. a day or is that a waste. I fear It'll mostly just create algae. RIght now theres a heater and two pumps circulating the water. ANy thoughts would be welcomed.
Thanks!

 

[PSU4ME]

Nah you don't need any lights, just feed the fish and keep a good flow, you'll be ok.

 

[leov]

Nah you don't need any lights, just feed the fish and keep a good flow, you'll be ok.

Thank you..
How many weeks or months would you say before these rocks are primed to go into the tank. I'm in no rush whatsoever. I would love them to be alive enough to help create a stronger ecosystem. I will be putting in 30lbs of
Caribsea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink
sand as well. I suppose that's when the real cycle will begin!

 

[ziggy]

Thank you..
How many weeks or months would you say before these rocks are primed to go into the tank. I'm in no rush whatsoever. I would love them to be alive enough to help create a stronger ecosystem. I will be putting in 30lbs of
Caribsea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink
sand as well. I suppose that's when the real cycle will begin!

With food and fish in there the cycle should be good in about 4 weeks if there's no rush

 

[PSU4ME]

After that you can seed it with additional life if you'd like

 

[IanReefer]

I would go ahead and ensure it at least gets some ambient light. "0" light will limit the re-culturing to non-photosynthetic species, thus, no food for cope-pods etc. Putting the sand in there will seed the denitrifying bacteria and that's about it.

Also, after about 1 week (to ensure PH buffering has stabilized), put a few small pieces (~2 lbs) of actual live rock to expedite the seeding of the new live rock. The more water movement you have, the more effective re-growth you will have. A powerhead or two will help out immensely.

I doubt a little algae will do harm. So long as your water parameters in your aquarium are good, it will not be a problem.

 

[Leo]

thanks... I have done all that. It'll probably be cooking for a few more weeks, as I have so much top do before I actually can get saltwater in the tank. I feel kinda stupid but while I still love the look of the tank, I am adding a refugium on the bottom with a bigger skimmer. Also putting together a double overflow system (1.25"). Started with 1" but realized it wouldn't give me the circulation that I wanted.
Anyway, Thanks for your input !