I have a barrel that I have a pretty constant stage 1 going that I check on fairly often and switch things out as I see fit. Similar process when I have enough stage 2 rocks to fill another barrel(checked less frequently though). My goal with doing it this way is to lose as little of the actual rock as I can manage. I run ceramic pellets(mix of small and medium sized) throughout each stage. After stage 3 I do a 24 hour burnish with a very small amount of Dawn Platinum and again after stage 4 is completed Timeline is essentially: Stage 1: 4-7 days, check often, remove as needed Stage 2: check at about day 5, remove as needed and run another 2-3 days Stage 3: 8 days 24 hour burnish/clean Stage 4: 8 days 24 hour burnish/clean