cured or uncured???

lenny8671 · 11/27/2008, 01:16 PM

As a Newbie

can someone please tell me what the difference between cured and uncured live rock is, ans what is the best to buy? Thanks

Jason Donohoe · 11/27/2008, 01:25 PM

A large number of organisms die off while live rock is being transported. When the rock arrives at it's destination (the FLS or your home if you mail order it) it is UNCURED. Live rock is considerred cured when there is no further ammonia, phos etc being released from decomposing organisms. To be safe you should consider any rock you buy at the store uncured. If you have a brand new tank that you are setting up you could cure the rock in it during the cycling process. Your skimmer will likely foam like crazy and it may smell less than fantastic. Live rock can also be cured in a rubbermaid bin with a powerhead to provide flow. Dropping in a skimmer would be helpful. The water (salt water, not fresh) should be changed regularly. A few days with no water changes and a zero ammonia level would be when you could consider your rock cured.

I've only cured rock a few times myslef so you may want to get some opinions from the more experienced reefers also before you buy 200lb of rock and drop it in a trashcan full of water.

lenny8671 · 11/27/2008, 01:28 PM

Thanks Jason

WaterKeeper · 11/27/2008, 02:00 PM

Hi Jason,

To Reef Central

If you are not in a rush then get the uncured and cure it yourself. If takes about a month but saves some $$$.

I talk all about it here, Curing Live Rock- Natural filtration

beachbumva · 11/28/2008, 01:35 AM

Just finished curing 160 pounds from aussie corals,,good stuff no smell very fresh and it took 6 days to cure. Really depends on your rock where it comes from and how fresh it is. Jason nailed it as stating treat it all as uncured because basically it is when it hits the air,,going to at least have some sponge die off and often it isnt even fully cured at the lfs. My current tank is the very first Ive ever purchased fresh rock and will be the last time I ever purchase the so called cured stuff again,,so much life popping out every day, has good and bad,,lots of crabs make the trip as well as bristle worms and not to mention the aptasia and hey worms ill never be able to identify,,,but inside 2 weeks I have quite a few button polyps , tons of feather dusters loads of corraline growth, so some choices to be made when purchasing.

11/27/2008, 01:16 PM	#1
lenny8671 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: hartlepool U.K Posts: 342	cured or uncured??? As a Newbie can someone please tell me what the difference between cured and uncured live rock is, ans what is the best to buy? Thanks

11/27/2008, 01:25 PM	#2
Jason Donohoe Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 638	A large number of organisms die off while live rock is being transported. When the rock arrives at it's destination (the FLS or your home if you mail order it) it is UNCURED. Live rock is considerred cured when there is no further ammonia, phos etc being released from decomposing organisms. To be safe you should consider any rock you buy at the store uncured. If you have a brand new tank that you are setting up you could cure the rock in it during the cycling process. Your skimmer will likely foam like crazy and it may smell less than fantastic. Live rock can also be cured in a rubbermaid bin with a powerhead to provide flow. Dropping in a skimmer would be helpful. The water (salt water, not fresh) should be changed regularly. A few days with no water changes and a zero ammonia level would be when you could consider your rock cured. I've only cured rock a few times myslef so you may want to get some opinions from the more experienced reefers also before you buy 200lb of rock and drop it in a trashcan full of water. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bowfront softie tank

11/27/2008, 02:00 PM	#4
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Hi Jason, *To Reef Central* If you are not in a rush then get the uncured and cure it yourself. If takes about a month but saves some $$$. I talk all about it here, Curing Live Rock- Natural filtration __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

11/27/2008, 01:28 PM	#3
lenny8671 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: hartlepool U.K Posts: 342	Thanks Jason

11/28/2008, 01:35 AM	#5
beachbumva Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hampton, Va Posts: 104	Just finished curing 160 pounds from aussie corals,,good stuff no smell very fresh and it took 6 days to cure. Really depends on your rock where it comes from and how fresh it is. Jason nailed it as stating treat it all as uncured because basically it is when it hits the air,,going to at least have some sponge die off and often it isnt even fully cured at the lfs. My current tank is the very first Ive ever purchased fresh rock and will be the last time I ever purchase the so called cured stuff again,,so much life popping out every day, has good and bad,,lots of crabs make the trip as well as bristle worms and not to mention the aptasia and hey worms ill never be able to identify,,,but inside 2 weeks I have quite a few button polyps , tons of feather dusters loads of corraline growth, so some choices to be made when purchasing.