Curring Live Rock

rad3dad · 10/23/2008, 12:33 AM

OK, I've got a question.

This is the first time I am curring fresh live rock. I've had it in a bare bottom tank for a few days now with a heater, skimmer, power head, and flo light.

The initial color's have all faded down to tans and whites for the most part, and the only life I have seen is a small clam that walked his way out to the surface of a rock. Should I be seeing any feather dusters/critters and such by now if there were any there? I hand picked this stuff from the direct importer, from hundreds of pounds of live rock to choose from.

Should I assume everything got too dried out and died off, or do you think there may still be hope for some life to rise to the surface.

Thx

ag92 · 10/23/2008, 01:07 AM

Mine took about 1.5 weeks before any life started showing up and then it was aipstasia. 3 weeks in and the feather dusters have begun to show themselves.

tmcgaughey · 10/23/2008, 01:18 AM

I am on week 2-3 and I'm just starting to see a featherduster.

No worries

rad3dad · 10/23/2008, 09:40 AM

OK, thanks for your experiences. I'll give it some more time and hope for the best.

Kitten0304 · 10/23/2008, 10:25 AM

as you will come to remeber patience is called for in this hobby and rushing only means more work later

rad3dad · 10/23/2008, 10:54 AM

Yes, I agree with not rushing anything, which I am not. I was just curious to see what others have experienced with curring rock, and wondering what to expect.
Most the rock I have purchased over the years has been pre-cured, and although you will find new stuff all the time, it usually shows some sort of life right away.
I was just wanting to assure that when my wife asks me if I have seen anything yet, I wasn't lying to her, saying it will take a while for it to surface.

SL38 · 10/23/2008, 11:10 AM

a few days is too early to notice anything. gotta be patient and good things will come.

livingstone · 10/23/2008, 12:04 PM

It has been years since I cycled a tank but at an irc #reefcentral op's recommendation, I'm going to be doing a lot of water changes during that time in my upcoming build in order to minimize the ammonia and it's effect on the hitchhikers. It looks like it may also be a priority of yours to improve their survival chances.

I suspect the cycle will take a bit longer.

10/23/2008, 12:33 AM	#1
rad3dad Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central IL Posts: 175	Curring Live Rock OK, I've got a question. This is the first time I am curring fresh live rock. I've had it in a bare bottom tank for a few days now with a heater, skimmer, power head, and flo light. The initial color's have all faded down to tans and whites for the most part, and the only life I have seen is a small clam that walked his way out to the surface of a rock. Should I be seeing any feather dusters/critters and such by now if there were any there? I hand picked this stuff from the direct importer, from hundreds of pounds of live rock to choose from. Should I assume everything got too dried out and died off, or do you think there may still be hope for some life to rise to the surface. Thx

10/23/2008, 09:40 AM	#4
rad3dad Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central IL Posts: 175	OK, thanks for your experiences. I'll give it some more time and hope for the best. __________________ The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know.

10/23/2008, 10:54 AM	#6
rad3dad Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central IL Posts: 175	Yes, I agree with not rushing anything, which I am not. I was just curious to see what others have experienced with curring rock, and wondering what to expect. Most the rock I have purchased over the years has been pre-cured, and although you will find new stuff all the time, it usually shows some sort of life right away. I was just wanting to assure that when my wife asks me if I have seen anything yet, I wasn't lying to her, saying it will take a while for it to surface. __________________ The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know.

10/23/2008, 12:04 PM	#8
livingstone Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Oneonta NY Posts: 222	It has been years since I cycled a tank but at an irc #reefcentral op's recommendation, I'm going to be doing a lot of water changes during that time in my upcoming build in order to minimize the ammonia and it's effect on the hitchhikers. It looks like it may also be a priority of yours to improve their survival chances. I suspect the cycle will take a bit longer. __________________ Dan Current Tank Info: 150 'cube'

10/23/2008, 01:07 AM	#2
ag92 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 52	Mine took about 1.5 weeks before any life started showing up and then it was aipstasia. 3 weeks in and the feather dusters have begun to show themselves.

10/23/2008, 01:18 AM	#3
tmcgaughey Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 353	I am on week 2-3 and I'm just starting to see a featherduster. No worries

10/23/2008, 10:25 AM	#5
Kitten0304 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 64	as you will come to remeber patience is called for in this hobby and rushing only means more work later

10/23/2008, 11:10 AM	#7
SL38 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pasadena Area Posts: 85	a few days is too early to notice anything. gotta be patient and good things will come.