Curing Dry Rock - Temperature

NY_Caveman · Dec 5, 2017

I need to cure about 10 lbs. of dry (once live) shelf rock. The rock is pretty white. Not cycling at this time, just curing to test for and remove any phosphates. I will later add it with 20 lbs. of live rock in a new 30 gallon aquarium. I will soak it in RODI water. If I keep the temperature low, say 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit it seems that will slow the formation of freshwater, nitrifying bacteria, but still draw the phosphate out. Is this understanding correct? Or, do I need that bacteria to break down the phosphate? I am in no rush with this process. Thanks.

Cory · Dec 5, 2017

NY_Caveman said:
I need to cure about 10 lbs. of dry (once live) shelf rock. The rock is pretty white. Not cycling at this time, just curing to test for and remove any phosphates. I will later add it with 20 lbs. of live rock in a new 30 gallon aquarium. I will soak it in RODI water. If I keep the temperature low, say 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit it seems that will slow the formation of freshwater, nitrifying bacteria, but still draw the phosphate out. Is this understanding correct? Or, do I need that bacteria to break down the phosphate? I am in no rush with this process. Thanks.

What those bacteria are doing is breakimg down organics in the rock making po4, ammonia. This is a slow way of curing rocks. Temperture wont stop bacteria unless its frozen.

Id do an acid bath outdoors. Thatll strip organics along with its po4 bound to carbonate. Brs has a video about it.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 6, 2017

I think lower temp will greatly slow down many processes, both purely chemical processes as well as biological processes.

NY_Caveman · Dec 13, 2017

@Randy Holmes-Farley you nailed the distinction I could not really put into words before reading your post. Been thinking about it for a week now. My further question for better understanding is this:

I would assume the bacteria are the primary way the organics are broken down, but to what degree or rough percentage is it broken down by chemical or even mechanical processes? Or is this simply insignificant compared to the biological process?

I have always used 100% live rock in the past, so this curing of dry rock is new to me. Thanks!

NY_Caveman · Dec 13, 2017

BTW, for those interested, I did find this related to temperature in a few places:

“The temperature for optimum growth of nitrifying bacteria is between 77-86 F (25-30 C)
Growth rate is decreased by 50% at 64 F (18C)
Growth rate is decreased by 75% at 46-50 F
No activity will occur at 39 F (4 C)
Nitrifying bacteria will die at 32 F (0 C)
Nitrifying bacteria will die at 120 F (49 C)
Nitrobacter is less tolerant of low temperatures than Nitrosomonas, therefore in cold water systems, care must be taken to monitor the accumulation of nitrites.“

http://www.aquaticcreationsgroup.com/education/nitrogen-cycle-overview/

I know this is basic stuff, but I just wanted to understand it better.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 13, 2017

NY_Caveman said:
@Randy Holmes-Farley you nailed the distinction I could not really put into words before reading your post. Been thinking about it for a week now. My further question for better understanding is this:

I would assume the bacteria are the primary way the organics are broken down, but to what degree or rough percentage is it broken down by chemical or even mechanical processes? Or is this simply insignificant compared to the biological process?

I have always used 100% live rock in the past, so this curing of dry rock is new to me. Thanks!

Abiotic (nonbiological) breakdown of organics is quite slow (think green beans in a sterile can) and mechanical breakage of organic molecules is almost nonexistent.