Can you cure dry rock with only RO-DI

Busa1340 · Jan 12, 2016

? Might be a weird question but just curious if you can with out salt.

TheEngineer · Jan 12, 2016

I think of curing as preparing it to go in the tank. To that end, no you can't cure it without salt.

Busa1340 · Jan 12, 2016

Ok thanks

Toadfish · Jan 12, 2016

Yeah, not so much. All the microfauna and bacteria you're trying to establish are dependent on saltwater. Would certainly be convenient though.

robert · Jan 12, 2016

Depends on what you mean by cure...If you mean extracting excess phosphates and breaking down residual organics on the rock, then sure RODI or even tap works...maybe throw in some H2O2 and lanthium for good measure...I've cured plenty of rock this way and added it directly to my display.

If you mean cycled, where your trying to build a bacterial population for nitrification./denitrification - then no - must be done in salt water...

Busa1340 · Jan 13, 2016

Thanks yea basically just trying to breakdown all that dead stuff. I'm not cheap but if I can save some salt that would be nice lol thanks for the response.

TheEngineer · Jan 13, 2016

Curing it will save you some water changes during the cycle.

Busa1340 · Jan 13, 2016

Yea I seen both ways.. I'm going with the dry pukani I personally think it looks the best and I like how liggt it is. BRS says you can do it all in the tank but I think I'll stick to the brute cans. Probably go a fresh RO-DI with vinegar at first that salt mix and crank the heat up to get that junk off. I would just throw the can in the garage n bake it here in south Florida but we been chilliy lately. Lol