Curing once live rock

Seitzjh · 06/28/2016, 01:29 PM

I have rock that is dry for over 1 1/2 years. It was used in someone else's setup. I can see things that once was alive. Should I still cure it? And if so during curing should I do some water changes or just top off or just leave it alone till process is done? Also what should the temp for heater be set to?

cougareyes · 06/28/2016, 02:42 PM

Yes you are going to get an ammonia spike, are you planning to cure in or outside he tank. If you plan to cure it inside the tank, depending on your ammonia level, I do huge water changes to bring my ammonia down below 1ppm or your cycle will take forever. I generally keep my temp, tank temp but on the warmer end like 80 will promote bacteria more.

Seitzjh · 06/28/2016, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cougareyes

Yes you are going to get an ammonia spike, are you planning to cure in or outside he tank. If you plan to cure it inside the tank, depending on your ammonia level, I do huge water changes to bring my ammonia down below 1ppm or your cycle will take forever. I generally keep my temp, tank temp but on the warmer end like 80 will promote bacteria more.

I going to cure outside the tank.

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Joeb1983 · 06/29/2016, 01:31 PM

I second curing the rock outside the tank.

I used dry/once live Pukani rock from BRS and I am very thankful I cured it in a brute trash can for 3 months prior to placement in the display.

The skimmer pulled almost 7 gallons of nasty crud in that time.

The trash can went through a cycle. I did have a massive ammonia spike followed by a very lengthy nitrite battle.

I also ran a heater set to 82 to promote bacteria growth along with ghost feeding.

I have not had any issues so far in my main display and there was no cycle.

reeferheadlouie · 06/29/2016, 04:28 PM

I cured mine in a brute container for only 3 weeks performing water changes weekly. I'm not saying this is the best way, but after that ran it in my tank with a diy algae turf scrubber only and had no issues. My old live rock sat out in a bin for around 3 years before I cured them.

Seitzjh · 06/29/2016, 07:18 PM

Thank you for your inputs. I will clean the rocks the best I can then cure them outside my tank.

06/28/2016, 01:29 PM	#1
Seitzjh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 22	Curing once live rock I have rock that is dry for over 1 1/2 years. It was used in someone else's setup. I can see things that once was alive. Should I still cure it? And if so during curing should I do some water changes or just top off or just leave it alone till process is done? Also what should the temp for heater be set to?

06/29/2016, 04:28 PM	#5
reeferheadlouie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bunnell, FLA Posts: 51	I cured mine in a brute container for only 3 weeks performing water changes weekly. I'm not saying this is the best way, but after that ran it in my tank with a diy algae turf scrubber only and had no issues. My old live rock sat out in a bin for around 3 years before I cured them. __________________ <"}}}}}>< <>< <>< <><

06/28/2016, 02:42 PM	#2
cougareyes Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 713	Yes you are going to get an ammonia spike, are you planning to cure in or outside he tank. If you plan to cure it inside the tank, depending on your ammonia level, I do huge water changes to bring my ammonia down below 1ppm or your cycle will take forever. I generally keep my temp, tank temp but on the warmer end like 80 will promote bacteria more.

06/29/2016, 01:31 PM	#4
Joeb1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Stationed in Oklahoma, but from Florida. Posts: 597	I second curing the rock outside the tank. I used dry/once live Pukani rock from BRS and I am very thankful I cured it in a brute trash can for 3 months prior to placement in the display. The skimmer pulled almost 7 gallons of nasty crud in that time. The trash can went through a cycle. I did have a massive ammonia spike followed by a very lengthy nitrite battle. I also ran a heater set to 82 to promote bacteria growth along with ghost feeding. I have not had any issues so far in my main display and there was no cycle.

06/29/2016, 07:18 PM	#6
Seitzjh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 22	Thank you for your inputs. I will clean the rocks the best I can then cure them outside my tank.