Curing Dry Fiji Rock?

[redsea01]

Hi there! I ordered this rock from Bulk Reef Supply because I need more rock for both my 29g and 125g (both have organisms inside). I totally forgot I had to cure it? Eeek! I've cured live rock before, but how exactly do you recommend curing dry fiji rock? Do I just leave it in freshwater for six weeks?
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-fiji-dry-live-rock-50lb-box.html
Thanks so much!

 

[Nick92515]

You don't necessarily need to cure it but I would definitely wash it off give it a good hose down to get rid of any debris and dust inside of it. Some people like to use lanthanum chloride / acid ( or maybe it's muriatic)? to remove the outer layer of dry Rock to get rid of any possible phosphate deposits so they don't leach back into your tank.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Tank water and a powerhead.

 

[Nick92515]

Tank water and a powerhead.

That too. Lol

 

[redsea01]

Hi! Thanks for your help...
so are you guys thinking just a washing off in the sink or actually sitting curing for like six weeks is better? I believe it says in that link to let it cure for six weeks, but they never expand on what that means, lol. I should clarify that this rock definitely has remnants of stuff from the ocean on it (I feel bad, I wish I had ordered their man made rock ) So...I suppose that would pollute the tank water if I put it in?

 

[sureal00]

I would definitely test phosphate levels and ammonia after soaking rock.Start off with soak in water with heater and power head and see how much breakdown and organics contaminate the water.You can also run carbon and skimmer to help with clean up of rock.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hi! Thanks for your help...
so are you guys thinking just a washing off in the sink or actually sitting curing for like six weeks is better? I believe it says in that link to let it cure for six weeks, but they never expand on what that means, lol. I should clarify that this rock definitely has remnants of stuff from the ocean on it (I feel bad, I wish I had ordered their man made rock ) So...I suppose that would pollute the tank water if I put it in?

Yea your going to cycle the rock. In a bucket instead of a tank The organics will rot the bacteria will eat it. There will be a nitrate spike etc. the rock will become coated with good bacteria decrease the ph buffering that comes from putting aragonite in seawater.etc
With little pieces I've done it the sump with no problems but big rock will likely cause e problems
Putting that many organics in the tank might not be good.
Some folks put it in a bucket w a powerhead and seawater. Some add a skimmer to help lower the no and Po. The bacteria lower the Po too remember. If it's very high you can add some gfo or use acid or whatever. I'd just let it cycle.
f you put the rock in seawater in a bucket and test the Po the next day it will tell you how much is bound to the rock. I may be just fine.
The amount of time you do it for depends on the numbers you get on the test kit. I'd bet at min three weeks.
You can also justvuse you nose. After it stops stinking wait week and rise it off.

The organics will take time to dissolve naturally. And may add some Po and naturally no.
Old school tank cycling.

You can speed the process by adding some dr tims and his ammonia or probidio is supposed to be pretty potent too. But I'd say it's still going to be a few weeks.
I think man made rock would be the same just less organics.

 

[redsea01]

Thanks so much everyone, I really appreciate it!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

No sweat. Good luck.

 

[redsea01]

Hey all! So, I have been cycling the rock, and all seems well so far. The only thing is that there is this awful green film on top. I do have a powerhead in there, but it is pointed down at the rocks, so my guess is the top isn't getting enough flow. I'm assuming I should remove this, correct? Or will that stall the cycle somewhat?
I was also wondering if I should do water changes? Or will that just stall the cycle?
Thank you!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hey all! So, I have been cycling the rock, and all seems well so far. The only thing is that there is this awful green film on top. I do have a powerhead in there, but it is pointed down at the rocks, so my guess is the top isn't getting enough flow. I'm assuming I should remove this, correct? Or will that stall the cycle somewhat?
I was also wondering if I should do water changes? Or will that just stall the cycle?
Thank you!

that's just primordial ooze. how long has it been? Id do it at a month and not feel bad. Then fill it up wait and test the numbers. IMO.
or skim some ooze off and add some salt water now.