curing live rock

msuzuki126 · 02/21/2006, 06:43 PM

hello, when curing live rock, i heard u should scrub the rock in saltwater and also let the rock sit in saltwater for 5 days. Is this correct, any suggestions? thank you

msuzuki126 · 02/21/2006, 06:46 PM

suggestions please!

TheCoralReef731 · 02/21/2006, 06:50 PM

When curing the LR, put it in a bucket after scrubing (if you want to) and keep the lights off. Keep a powerhead going, or some sort of water circulation. Do 50% water changes every 2 or 3 days for a week and a half. If you notice any dead objects during this process, remove them. After a week or so of this, your live rock should be cured. If you want it ultra cured, just extend the time period with more scrubing and more water changes.

msuzuki126 · 02/21/2006, 07:01 PM

thank you very much

Ibrakeforreefs · 02/21/2006, 07:04 PM

First off, you do not need to scrub the live rock in saltwater. If you want to keep the life on the rock, you don't need to scrub it. However, if you don't, then it is possible that it will retain some macroalgaes which may grow to pests later on.

IMO, I would recommend scrubbing it pretty well. Take out 5g out of the curing container and pull out the rock 1 at a time and scrub it with a soft-bristle tooth brush (like used for cleaning potatos).

IMO, I would cure the rock either in tank or in a 32g Brute trash can. You may need to leave it in the container for more than 5 days. You need an ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test kit (Seachem has good ones and you can get a pack with those three for about $26). Anyways, keep your rock curing in your container with a powerhead and a heater.

THERES MORE:

When your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate all read 0 you are fully cured. Transfer the rock to the tank if you cured it in the container. Then check and make sure everything is still reading 0.

1 week after the readings are all 0, you can add your cleanup crew. 2 weeks after you add the cleanup crew (as long as everything still reads 0), you are okay to add your first fish. Make sure you stock your tank slowly and don't add too much. Research before adding anything to your tank.

Good luck and happy reefing!

Your friend,

Ibrakeforreefs.

xtrstangx · 02/21/2006, 07:07 PM

Good post Ibrakeforreefs, I think you covered all the parts of curing live rock. Whats your opinion on water changes during rock curing?

Ibrakeforreefs · 02/21/2006, 07:11 PM

One thing I forgot.

Theres 2 sides to whether you should light your rock during curing it. If you keep a light on it, you will have more life on it initally but most of it will die over time and some may turn into nuisance problems (a lot of macroalgaes will grow like crazy and are a PITA to remove). I prefer to keep mine in the dark as this retains the beneficial bacteria that you are curing the rock to obtain and you will have nice looking rock (even if it is missing some coralline algae on it)

As far as water changes.. they are not necesary. I would do one every 2 weeks (if your cycle takes that long.. it may not). Also, if your ammonia ever reads higher than .5-1 ppm, then you also want to do a 25% water change. When your cycle is done and everything is reading 0, you may want to do a 25% water change however it is not completely necesary.

Good luck!

looser · 02/22/2006, 12:40 PM

Heres a good link for info on curing LR.

http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/CuringRock.aspx

02/21/2006, 06:43 PM	#1
msuzuki126 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dutchess County, New York Posts: 1,377	curing live rock hello, when curing live rock, i heard u should scrub the rock in saltwater and also let the rock sit in saltwater for 5 days. Is this correct, any suggestions? thank you

02/21/2006, 06:46 PM	#2
msuzuki126 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dutchess County, New York Posts: 1,377	suggestions please! __________________ Red House=My 90 build. Matt. Current Tank Info: 90 rebuild

02/21/2006, 06:50 PM	#3
TheCoralReef731 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 993	When curing the LR, put it in a bucket after scrubing (if you want to) and keep the lights off. Keep a powerhead going, or some sort of water circulation. Do 50% water changes every 2 or 3 days for a week and a half. If you notice any dead objects during this process, remove them. After a week or so of this, your live rock should be cured. If you want it ultra cured, just extend the time period with more scrubing and more water changes. __________________ Peter Current Tank Info: 29g and 90g Mixed Reefs, 37g Freshwater

02/22/2006, 12:40 PM	#8
looser Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Central MA Posts: 933	Heres a good link for info on curing LR. http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/CuringRock.aspx __________________ "Honey, get the kids out of the house. . . . the fish tank is about to explode!" Current Tank Info: 225 with 75 Fuge

02/21/2006, 07:01 PM	#4
msuzuki126 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dutchess County, New York Posts: 1,377	thank you very much

02/21/2006, 07:04 PM	#5
Ibrakeforreefs Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 20	First off, you do not need to scrub the live rock in saltwater. If you want to keep the life on the rock, you don't need to scrub it. However, if you don't, then it is possible that it will retain some macroalgaes which may grow to pests later on. IMO, I would recommend scrubbing it pretty well. Take out 5g out of the curing container and pull out the rock 1 at a time and scrub it with a soft-bristle tooth brush (like used for cleaning potatos). IMO, I would cure the rock either in tank or in a 32g Brute trash can. You may need to leave it in the container for more than 5 days. You need an ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test kit (Seachem has good ones and you can get a pack with those three for about $26). Anyways, keep your rock curing in your container with a powerhead and a heater. THERES MORE: When your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate all read 0 you are fully cured. Transfer the rock to the tank if you cured it in the container. Then check and make sure everything is still reading 0. 1 week after the readings are all 0, you can add your cleanup crew. 2 weeks after you add the cleanup crew (as long as everything still reads 0), you are okay to add your first fish. Make sure you stock your tank slowly and don't add too much. Research before adding anything to your tank. Good luck and happy reefing! Your friend, Ibrakeforreefs.

02/21/2006, 07:07 PM	#6
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	Good post Ibrakeforreefs, I think you covered all the parts of curing live rock. Whats your opinion on water changes during rock curing?

02/21/2006, 07:11 PM	#7
Ibrakeforreefs Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 20	One thing I forgot. Theres 2 sides to whether you should light your rock during curing it. If you keep a light on it, you will have more life on it initally but most of it will die over time and some may turn into nuisance problems (a lot of macroalgaes will grow like crazy and are a PITA to remove). I prefer to keep mine in the dark as this retains the beneficial bacteria that you are curing the rock to obtain and you will have nice looking rock (even if it is missing some coralline algae on it) As far as water changes.. they are not necesary. I would do one every 2 weeks (if your cycle takes that long.. it may not). Also, if your ammonia ever reads higher than .5-1 ppm, then you also want to do a 25% water change. When your cycle is done and everything is reading 0, you may want to do a 25% water change however it is not completely necesary. Good luck!