Out-Of-Tank Curing???

shaginwagon13 · 02/10/2008, 12:23 AM

Im going to pick up about 30 pounds of more LR tomorrow and was planning to let it cure in a garbage bin with salt water until it was finished curing. Will the LR cure by itself in the water or do I have to do anything and how do I know when its done curing?

Thanks!!

down and outman · 02/10/2008, 01:17 AM

I've done that. Need a heater, powerheads or pump for circulation, and cure it in the dark(light promotes algae which slows down the cycle). I didn't use a skimmer. Check ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, starting with ammonia first. When ammonia drops, start checking Nitrites. When Nitrites drops your good to go. You should have Nitrates. Occasional water changes don't help as you are trying to build up the bacteria levels in the rock, the more nasties the better. I also put a few pieces of cured LR in there to add some beneficial bacteria to it.

shaginwagon13 · 02/10/2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by down and outman
I've done that. Need a heater, powerheads or pump for circulation, and cure it in the dark(light promotes algae which slows down the cycle). I didn't use a skimmer. Check ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, starting with ammonia first. When ammonia drops, start checking Nitrites. When Nitrites drops your good to go. You should have Nitrates. Occasional water changes don't help as you are trying to build up the bacteria levels in the rock, the more nasties the better. I also put a few pieces of cured LR in there to add some beneficial bacteria to it.

Did you add any dead shrimp to start the cycle or did the cycle start naturally?

cilyjr · 02/10/2008, 09:26 AM

there will be lots of dead stuff on uncured live rock to get the cycle going

down and outman · 02/11/2008, 07:18 AM

You got it. The LR is all you need. Dead shrimp are needed if you don't have LR.

02/10/2008, 12:23 AM	#1
shaginwagon13 Chartered Accountant Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,219	Out-Of-Tank Curing??? Im going to pick up about 30 pounds of more LR tomorrow and was planning to let it cure in a garbage bin with salt water until it was finished curing. Will the LR cure by itself in the water or do I have to do anything and how do I know when its done curing? Thanks!! Last edited by shaginwagon13; 02/10/2008 at 12:57 AM.

02/10/2008, 01:17 AM	#2
down and outman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LaGrange GA Posts: 480	I've done that. Need a heater, powerheads or pump for circulation, and cure it in the dark(light promotes algae which slows down the cycle). I didn't use a skimmer. Check ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, starting with ammonia first. When ammonia drops, start checking Nitrites. When Nitrites drops your good to go. You should have Nitrates. Occasional water changes don't help as you are trying to build up the bacteria levels in the rock, the more nasties the better. I also put a few pieces of cured LR in there to add some beneficial bacteria to it. __________________ " There you go, Lad. Keep as cool as you can. Face piles of trials with smiles..." Moody Blues (Thanks Homegrown for keeping me straight!) Current Tank Info: 90Gal AGA, 25 g sump, Mag 7, Koralia 4's

02/10/2008, 09:26 AM	#4
cilyjr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,683	there will be lots of dead stuff on uncured live rock to get the cycle going __________________ 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

02/11/2008, 07:18 AM	#5
down and outman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LaGrange GA Posts: 480	You got it. The LR is all you need. Dead shrimp are needed if you don't have LR. __________________ " There you go, Lad. Keep as cool as you can. Face piles of trials with smiles..." Moody Blues (Thanks Homegrown for keeping me straight!) Current Tank Info: 90Gal AGA, 25 g sump, Mag 7, Koralia 4's