Uncured LR to cycle tank?

I'm just wondering if I can use uncured LR in my new tank and let the die off occur in it? Also do I need any special lighting for the LR? :-/

 

Yes you may use cure your LR in a new tank. There are some pros and cons to this. The too biggest problems are smell which may or may not happen and Cleaning die off can be a pain. As far as lighting goes you don't need anything special buy you may loose any coralline algae on the rock.

 

I used uncured live rock in my set-up (170#s in a 120gallon). The smell really wasn't that bad to those of us that smelled it everyday. I'm not sure what someone would have thought if they just walked into the house for the first time. One thing you will want to do with the uncured rock before you place it in the tank, is really look it over. Take a wire brush to it, take a screwdriver and dig out dying sponges, really look it over. I took all day to do my aquascaping, and left the rock on a tarp. That is an advantage to using uncured - no hurry to get it in the tank. Be sure to really blast the rock everyday and free up the loose organic material, siphoning out big pieces. Another thing is if you are going to have a sandbed or substrate, then I would cure the rock in a separate container. All the die-off and organics will fill the bed with waste material and shorten the life span of the bed, but that IMHO.

 

[quote author=NaH2O link=board=Newbie;num=1098050061;start=0#2 date=10/18/04 at 09:28:44]if you are going to have a sandbed or substrate, then I would cure the rock in a separate container.  All the die-off and organics will fill the bed with waste material and shorten the life span of the bed, but that IMHO.  [/quote]

I agree completely with this! ;D

 

LOL, Craig - do you agree that it is just my opinion, or that uncured live rock should be cured outside a tank with a DSB?

 

[quote author=NaH2O link=board=Newbie;num=1098050061;start=0#2 date=10/18/04 at 09:28:44]   Be sure to really blast the rock everyday and free up the loose organic material, siphoning out big pieces.  [/quote]

how do you "blast" the rock? sorry im new. i got some buna rock from oceanproaquatics.com. anyone know anything about them? they are from waltsmiths in fiji. and came with good colors and algae grownin on them. i also got premium fiji from there 2.75/pound. how long should i let the rocks cure? thanks.

chris

 

Hi Chris! Sorry, I should have been more clear. You can blast the rocks with a turkey baster by forcing water into the crevices and over the rock. I've found this is more effective using a powerhead, especially on curing rock. Just take the power head and blast around the rock....you will see junk come off. I routinely use a turkey baster on my rock to free detritus as part of my maintenance.

You will want to cure the rock until you no longer have detectable ammonia or nitrites.

Hope that helps!

 

I went to that website where you (c12ack) got your rock. The price seems great, just the shipping is a joke

Store Pickup
No shipping charge added. Pickup during regular business hours. $0.00


United Parcel Service (XML) (2 pkg(s) x 60 lbs total)
UPS Ground $77.00
UPS 3 Day Select (3Days) $187.68
UPS 2nd Day Air (2Days) $268.28
UPS Next Day Air Saver (1Days) $338.02
UPS Next Day Air (1Days) $373.06

I don't know, but that's pretty stupid for 80 pounds of rock

 

i didn't know that shipping was that much. i just noticed it was local and picked it up. i first saw them on ebay and ran into their website one day.

chris

 

Nikki,

Cured outside the tank and then added to a fully cycled tank.