Curing Rock Help

[melypr1985]

If I'm setting up a new tank and I get rock and sand that needs to be cured, can I just do that in the tank? I've only read briefly about curing live rock, and most people I've seen use big vats of saltwater and heaters and powerheads outside to do this. I really can't afford to buy those large vats. I'm wondering why not just do it in the tank? There's nothing else in there, and wont be for a long while. It's gotta cycle anyway. I'm probably very wrong about my understanding of all this, so please help a girl out. Thanks!

 

[Ryan2428]

If it is a new set up nothing else in it yes fire it up. Let it cure in the tank much better this way if it is a new set up IMO

 

[melypr1985]

That's what I was thinking too. I couldn't see what it could hurt if there wasn't anything else in there to hurt.

 

[Ryan2428]

IMO best way to do it so you are on the right track

 

[AZDesertRat]

If it is uncured live rock the smell will be pretty rank for several days. I did mine in an extra 55G and some rubbermaid totes in my garage and it was pretty bad. Plus I didn't want all the die off in the new white sand in my display. Everything turned out great.

 

[melypr1985]

This rock has been sitting dry for two years. Idk if that makes a difference.

 

[mcarroll]

YMMV on curing....depending on how the rock was before it was dried, there may be such a minimal cycle you won't detect it. Or....it could be more like AZ's experience. Whoo! Should be a minor risk, so I think I'd do it in the tank (as usual).

-Matt

 

[vic67]

A quick scrub with a brush before you put it in the tank is all you have to do. I usually just let the rock cycle with the tank in a new set up.

 

[AZDesertRat]

If the rock was dry you won't have any problems, it is no longer live and does not need curing on to jump start the bacteria cycle. Uncured live rock has life all over it, much of which will die off and need removal during the curing process and sticks pretty bad until it is cured. I had about 180 lbs of Kaelini rock flown in air freight and picked it up at the airport. It was beautiful stuff compared to the dry rock and tubs of live rock available locally and worth the cost and time to me.