Curing Live Rock in Tank

customdusty · #1 12/22/2007, 11:58 AM

If I am setting up a brand new system, can I cure the live rock in the tank if obviously remain patient and don't expect to be stocking for a few months.

Thoughts?

kau_cinta_ku · #2 12/22/2007, 12:17 PM

sure you can. but I wouldn't put any sand in the tank until it is done cureing as it will be easier to clean.

[welcome]

hybridgenius · #3 12/22/2007, 12:27 PM

Yep... what ^^^ said.

poppin_fresh · #4 12/22/2007, 01:02 PM

I would also add...

Dont bother running light for the first couple weeks to keep down on possible algae. If you have a skimmer, go ahead and fire it up and let it do its thing.

jamiep · #5 12/22/2007, 01:05 PM

Yep all of the above! Also blast it with a turkey baster every once in a while. Try not to do water changes until its done. Just be aware, curing rock STINKS!

chillman · #6 12/22/2007, 01:12 PM

I did this, worked fine. Might be better at this time of year - I did it during summer time, hot apartment, man, it reaked bad for a couple of weeks!

cravinmohead22 · #7 12/22/2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kau_cinta_ku
sure you can. but I wouldn't put any sand in the tank until it is done cureing as it will be easier to clean.

To Reef Central

what if you buy cured rock? can you put the live sand in the tank at the same time as the rock? this is how i was planning to cycle my tank next week.

cloak · #8 12/22/2007, 03:39 PM

Why not just cycle the tank with some other sort of filtration before you add the live rock? Your paying for live rock. No use subjecting everything to the perils of a cycle. Survival rate will be up.

Just a thought.

customdusty · #9 12/26/2007, 04:27 PM

Thanks everybody for the replies, I guess my last post didn't work.

SFeST · #10 12/26/2007, 09:38 PM

I just cured my live rock in my tank. I didn't run the lights at all until my tank was well cycled and I was about to add my first inhabitants. I never had any algae at all, it was great.

bertoni · #11 12/26/2007, 09:52 PM

Cured or uncured rock can be put in a new tank to do whatever curing needs to be done once the rock has arrived. I agree that cleanup is easier if the sand is left for later, but I just add the sand at the start, and let the cleanup crew and time deal with any debris. I don't care all that much about glistening uniformly white sandbeds, though.

I'd do some water changes if the ammonia spiked up much and I had the energy. Some carbon might help with the smell, if that becomes an issue, although uncured rock can be very potent.