what is cooking rock?

supermarvin76 · #1 09/03/2006, 08:55 PM

I have heard this many times and am woundering what is meant by it?

Do you cook already cured rock as well as uncured?

Thanks.

affan · #2 09/03/2006, 09:03 PM

Pre heat oven to 450 degrees for 30 minutes ...

Seriously, it's placing your rock in a container in total darkness for so long as you desire. Provide sufficient flow, and WC's. Usually it's done to rid the rock of unwanted growth, leeching of some substance etc. Cured and uncured doesn't matter.

supermarvin76 · #3 09/03/2006, 09:05 PM

thanks....so I can assume that this is different than curing rock?

xtrstangx · #4 09/03/2006, 09:38 PM

affan hit the nail on the head.

Cooking rock- 3 months (or longer), no light, good flow, water changes, used to remove photosynthetic life usually
Curing rock differences- 1-14 days (rarely longer), light is allowed (not required), etc..

King-Kong · #5 09/03/2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xtrstangx
...used to remove photosynthetic life usually....

Actually, that's not the point at all.

Point is to rid the rock of phosphates and other organics which may turn into phosphates, and let bacteria do this -- not algae.

Then, by dunking and swishing this rock as a regular cooking routine, you get to expunge it of this material (converted and not). Eventually the rock runs out, and it's ready for showntime.

reefmutts · #6 09/03/2006, 10:01 PM

I followed this thread to the T .

My tank was an algea nightmare. After cooking, I have been algea free for 6 months.. My advise... Follow the the instructions

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=1