I bought live rock (about 40-45 pounds) for my new tank that im upgrading 39g CADLights 12g sump. The rock had coraline and sponges on it. I put it in a plastic container with no heater, powerhead or skimmer. I has been getting in the 40's at night here in SWFL. The rock has been in the plastic container for 2-3weeks. The water has cleared up and all the dead stuff is on the bottom. When I add the rock to my new tank do I add the water it was sitting in? I will be adding about 10 gallons of water and a few peicces of rock from my biocube i have had for a year up and running.

I would add some of the water but mostly fresh SW. Try not to stir up all the crap on the bottom when doing the transfer.

Thants what I was thinking to do. Thanks.

I dont think i would move any of the water. Just the rocks personally. The old water is full of organic waste atm. If you add it .. then some light and heat you will likely get hit with a huge bloom of algae. I would expect a small one with new water and just the rocks.

I agree tho be careful not to stir up the waste at the bottom..
I would siphon off a fair amount of the curing vat water into buckets, use the barrel water to scrub any dead items from the rock. There is generally some type of collection in the rock when its stacked in a barrel for curing.

just my thoughts on it ..

That makes sense to lol. Anyone else?

My only reason for adding some of the original water would be to reduce the drastic change in water parameters causing excessive dieoff. Yes you will have a little when moving the rocks anyways but you want to keep it to a minimum. By moving some of the water with it your essentially doing a large waterchange.

Now will I have a shorter cycle or a normal?

bump

If you mean now that you allowed this extended curing to the rock while in the bucket then yes.

Test that water, I bet there are nitrates.

You just let it sit in a bucket for 3 weeks with no water movement?

Yep!

have you been changing any water in the last 2 weeks? If not, and it was me, I'd do a 100% water change, and make a point of trying to syphon the gunk at the bottom (you could even remove rock for this, syphon the water you set it in from the top, syphon your container, then refill it, and move the rock back in). then I'd give it another day or two, then just transfer the rock to the display (no water).

No matter what you do, I would not move any of the old water with it myself.

Edit: And OMG at no flow... I'd take it out, clean it well with a toothbrush and rinse it well, then put it back in with new water and lots of FLOW for a few more days, then transfer. Again, would not let that cycle water touch my tank if I could help it

I'd say everything that once lived on that rock is good and dead now.. no need to bring the old water to prevent dieoff. Already dead.

I'd imagine you'll have a shorter than average cycle.

Yea its been taking forever for my stand and sump to come in. A lil confusion while ordering but it will all be here on the 10th. I plan on scrubbing the rock, rising it off then putting in new tank. This rock is the best I have ever seen in a tank. Cant wait to see in placed in my 39g.

i hope you mean the shapes are the best you have seen because right now all the coraline, sponges, etc. are dead and long gone you pretty much have base rock now so i hope you didnt pay alot for that rock.

Yes i meant the shape. I know that most if not any things would not survive when I did this. I have plenty if coraline and stuff on my current rock. I payed $4.99 lb and to me thats a good deal. I have heard of LFS selling $9+ a pound.

Why would you purchase live rock with the intention of turning it into base rock?

It was only gona b in the container for a few days but they messed up my order for stand and sump so I been waiting for 3 weeks. Tomorrow it should be here to set up.