UNcured live rock question!

Pike614 · 01/04/2007, 07:45 PM

Hi!
I am expecting a new shipment of UNcured Caribbean live rock from etropicals tomorrow. I am getting 40lbs of LR. My question, is, should I cure these in totes (rubbermaid) or in my 75 gallon tank (which is also empty except for live sand) I am concerned about killing the live sand w/ the ammonia spike that will come from the LR die-off. I will be gone for about 4 days next week and don't want to return to swamp water. I will be running 2 carbon filters, and possibly a protein skimmer for this. Any information will be appreciated!
THANKS!
Pike614

cbear44 · 01/04/2007, 07:52 PM

Would definately run the skimmer...should see lots of black muck. If your live sand bed has lots of inverts in it then definately want to avoid a big spike. Rubbermaid is probably going to be enough. Just need to add a few powerhead to get vigorous water flow over and through the rocks and it doesn't have to look good. Also will want to be prepared for water changes.

Rubbermaid would also let you see if you can prevent any bad hitchhikers from establishing in your tank.

DrHank · 01/04/2007, 07:53 PM

When I cured about twice that much a number of years ago, I used a new rubbermaid trash can. I added a heater (temp 80 degrees) and powerhead (for circulation). Did several water changes (when the ammonia got too high) and it seems it took about three weeks to cure out. I also scrubbed off the dead a couple of times a week. Make sure that either way you remove anything dead or dying. It's a good idea to scrub the rock down before you start curing.

Also, if all you have in the tank is live sand, it probably won't remain live for long. It won't matter though because it will go live again after the rock has been in the tank for about a month.

ReeferKeith · 01/04/2007, 07:54 PM

I would cure it in the tubs. Keeps the gunk out of your display, and as said above will allow you to possibly locate and remove any unwelcomed guests.

BreefMe · 01/04/2007, 07:56 PM

I am sure many will offer advice here.

For a 75 gallon tank you will definitely need a protein skimmer and a sump is also likely the way to go. There are a lot of great threads on this site on the components of a reef tank and their purpose. If you read them, they are extrememly informative.

cilyjr · 01/04/2007, 09:33 PM

check out travis thread on new aquarium setup
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=912378

as far as killing live sand is itthat bag of stuff they sell? there aint much alive in that 'cept bacteria. so you aren't gonna kill it off.

bertoni · 01/04/2007, 09:39 PM

Yes, what kind of live sand is in the tank?

I'd probably just cure the live rock in the tank, but either approach will work. The tubs can be hidden from view, so that's an esthetic plus.

SaltyDr · 01/04/2007, 09:51 PM

If you can do it in a tub or trashcan that might be better. I have heard that if you do it in your aquarium with the sand in, some of the "junk" (nitrates) might get trapped in the sand. Sounds like a pain, but can you take the sand out of your aquarium then cure in your tank?- might be easier if that's where your skimmer is. Just my Nubie .02.

Pike614 · 01/04/2007, 10:23 PM

Bdertoni,
The Live sand is 20lbs live sand from Agronite (something like that) and then 80 lbs semi-live sand from Carib sand. I planned to seed it. Seems like doing it in the tank will be the easiest. It is in my office, so esthetics aren't too important!
:-)
Thanks

bertoni · 01/04/2007, 10:26 PM

I'd just cure the rock in the tank, personally. I'm not a big believer of the theory that sand soaks up a lot of nutrients during curing.

Pike614 · 01/04/2007, 10:31 PM

Okay, it is the bagged sand, best I could do here in Wisconsin in winter. I'll just keep an eye on the "crud" that results from the curing. As for skimming, I might weait and just do water changes. The next big purchase will be a UV sterilizer. I hear both sides on this one as well. SOme feel it kills good bacteria, others have thriving reefs w/them. I am most worried about ICK.
DO you recommend a UV?

pmcg · 01/04/2007, 11:06 PM

Iâ€™ve heard nothing but good things about the coralife turbo twist. I just ordered an 18W for my 90 gal. It has not arrived yet.

slider162 · 01/05/2007, 08:56 AM

I am just finsishing up with 100 LBS of un-cured rock. Believe me, you want it in a tub out in the garage or somewhere where you won't smell it for the first two weeks.

bertoni · 01/05/2007, 04:21 PM

UV might help clear the water a bit. Other than that, I don't think they do anything.

01/04/2007, 07:45 PM	#1
Pike614 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,303	UNcured live rock question! Hi! I am expecting a new shipment of UNcured Caribbean live rock from etropicals tomorrow. I am getting 40lbs of LR. My question, is, should I cure these in totes (rubbermaid) or in my 75 gallon tank (which is also empty except for live sand) I am concerned about killing the live sand w/ the ammonia spike that will come from the LR die-off. I will be gone for about 4 days next week and don't want to return to swamp water. I will be running 2 carbon filters, and possibly a protein skimmer for this. Any information will be appreciated! THANKS! Pike614

01/04/2007, 07:53 PM	#3
DrHank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,138	When I cured about twice that much a number of years ago, I used a new rubbermaid trash can. I added a heater (temp 80 degrees) and powerhead (for circulation). Did several water changes (when the ammonia got too high) and it seems it took about three weeks to cure out. I also scrubbed off the dead a couple of times a week. Make sure that either way you remove anything dead or dying. It's a good idea to scrub the rock down before you start curing. Also, if all you have in the tank is live sand, it probably won't remain live for long. It won't matter though because it will go live again after the rock has been in the tank for about a month. __________________ Doc (Click the red house for the FPRS site) Current Tank Info: 210 gallon Mixed reef, 65 reef

01/04/2007, 07:54 PM	#4
ReeferKeith Premium Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tulsa, Ok. Posts: 580	I would cure it in the tubs. Keeps the gunk out of your display, and as said above will allow you to possibly locate and remove any unwelcomed guests. __________________ Keith OMAS Member Current Tank Info: 90 reef, 12 gallon mantis

01/04/2007, 09:33 PM	#6
cilyjr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,683	check out travis thread on new aquarium setup http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=912378 as far as killing live sand is itthat bag of stuff they sell? there aint much alive in that 'cept bacteria. so you aren't gonna kill it off. __________________ Cls Current Tank Info: 180 inwall, 75 sump, 20lfrag, 3x lumen max elite w/250w radium 20k, recirc modded asm g-3, aqua controller apex,2x rw-20, 350lbs LR

01/04/2007, 09:39 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Yes, what kind of live sand is in the tank? I'd probably just cure the live rock in the tank, but either approach will work. The tubs can be hidden from view, so that's an esthetic plus. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/04/2007, 07:52 PM	#2
cbear44 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 21	Would definately run the skimmer...should see lots of black muck. If your live sand bed has lots of inverts in it then definately want to avoid a big spike. Rubbermaid is probably going to be enough. Just need to add a few powerhead to get vigorous water flow over and through the rocks and it doesn't have to look good. Also will want to be prepared for water changes. Rubbermaid would also let you see if you can prevent any bad hitchhikers from establishing in your tank.

01/04/2007, 07:56 PM	#5
BreefMe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Central NJ Posts: 194	I am sure many will offer advice here. For a 75 gallon tank you will definitely need a protein skimmer and a sump is also likely the way to go. There are a lot of great threads on this site on the components of a reef tank and their purpose. If you read them, they are extrememly informative.

01/04/2007, 09:51 PM	#8
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	If you can do it in a tub or trashcan that might be better. I have heard that if you do it in your aquarium with the sand in, some of the "junk" (nitrates) might get trapped in the sand. Sounds like a pain, but can you take the sand out of your aquarium then cure in your tank?- might be easier if that's where your skimmer is. Just my Nubie .02.

01/04/2007, 10:23 PM	#9
Pike614 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,303	Bdertoni, The Live sand is 20lbs live sand from Agronite (something like that) and then 80 lbs semi-live sand from Carib sand. I planned to seed it. Seems like doing it in the tank will be the easiest. It is in my office, so esthetics aren't too important! :-) Thanks

01/04/2007, 10:26 PM	#10
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd just cure the rock in the tank, personally. I'm not a big believer of the theory that sand soaks up a lot of nutrients during curing. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/04/2007, 10:31 PM	#11
Pike614 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,303	Okay, it is the bagged sand, best I could do here in Wisconsin in winter. I'll just keep an eye on the "crud" that results from the curing. As for skimming, I might weait and just do water changes. The next big purchase will be a UV sterilizer. I hear both sides on this one as well. SOme feel it kills good bacteria, others have thriving reefs w/them. I am most worried about ICK. DO you recommend a UV?

01/04/2007, 11:06 PM	#12
pmcg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 112	Iâ€™ve heard nothing but good things about the coralife turbo twist. I just ordered an 18W for my 90 gal. It has not arrived yet.

01/05/2007, 08:56 AM	#13
slider162 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orange City, FL Posts: 346	I am just finsishing up with 100 LBS of un-cured rock. Believe me, you want it in a tub out in the garage or somewhere where you won't smell it for the first two weeks.

01/05/2007, 04:21 PM	#14
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	UV might help clear the water a bit. Other than that, I don't think they do anything. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni