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If it were mine I think I would
Cycle the dryrock in a seprate container(s) with (preferably) a skimmer and a few pieces of live rock if possible. No light necessary. Actually light will just fuel algae at this point.
Until the smell is gone..........
Have your water ready to fill the main tank.
Then build your aquascape as you planned before (without the smell). Keeping a few spray bottles around filled with saltwater to keep the rocks moist as you are building. The rocks will be fine for many hours as long as they are kept moist......
Then just fill the tank and test for ammonia, nitrite nitrate for the next couple of weeks as normal to see if you go through another mini cycle.
I would actually let more die off occur and the rocks to shed and siphon off the detritus before adding the substrate (if you are adding substrate).
Good luck
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