Live rock to dead rock

I am about to start a new tank. I wanted to try different brands of rock so I ordered real rock and life rock. Well I thought they were both dry but it appears one came wet and alive. I didnt need it so it sat in the box a few weeks. You know where this is going. So now I have 40 pounds of dead rock. Should I go ahead and cycle with it? I’ll be adding turbo start and waiting about 6 months to even think about corals. Main objective is to let the tank mature but if needed use as an emergency tank

Totally fine. Even rock that’s been dried out for months and months will have some bacteria still on it. I personally cycle my rock in a bin for 6 months before putting it in the tank. Cuts down on the chances of unwanted algae early on.

Your idea to let everything mature is a great one!

True , I think I may roll with it. I expect algea to show up at some point. At this point I feel nothing can stop it as bacteria will have to establish itself. Before on another tank I used 15yr old dried out fiji rock I had and since then I have only had problems. So just worried since the rock for a new tank did dry up. But not for 15yrs lol…

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