Curing rock questions, 101

[flat6guy]

Hey all! Just received my reef saver rocks from BRS. I have 25lbs pounds that I want to cure before starting the cycle process. I've been reading a bunch of curing threads and found numerous approaches with good results.

For general information, I have a Fluval 24G set up, M60.

The bleach method seems like the best to me given my circumstances. I'm in Vermont in the middle of winter so curing with bleach would have to be done in my heated garage, that I work out of repairing cars. While it's clean, it's still see's a lot of chemicals. Thoughts on this? Also does the rock sit in tap water or ro/di with the bleach? I have no water softener on my house water, just a sediment filter. I know the water is full of minerals as the tub has the typical yellow stains under the water faucet.

If I choose to cure the rock with vinegar, what's the concentration of vinegar to water? Assuming it's ro/di as well.

This has been my take away on the process but. Fill brute trash can with rock/water/heater/power head and leave it to circulate for a number of weeks. During this period, monitor the P04 to monitor it's hopeful drop in concentration.

Should I be performing weekly water changes to remove the P04 and debris or let it sit in it's own filth?
Would media bags of phosphate remover help this process?

Once the curing process is over and I've removed the organic materials and P04, do I then place the rocks into the aquarium and start the bacteria cycle? Some mention that this cycle takes place in the trash can.

I planned to use Dr. Tim's fish less cycle system, just not sure if it goes into the brute trash can or aquarium. If if matters, I plan to use live sand as well.

Sorry for the rambling on, just trying to answer as many questions about this subject as I can in one thread.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Should I be performing weekly water changes to remove the P04 and debris or let it sit in it's own filth?
Would media bags of phosphate remover help this process?

You should keep the water clean and moving, a small circulation pump usually works but it also depends on how tight the rock is in the Brute can. I wouldn't add media bags or phosphate remover, probably a waste of money in the long run.

Once the curing process is over and I've removed the organic materials and P04, do I then place the rocks into the aquarium and start the bacteria cycle? Some mention that this cycle takes place in the trash can.

This is a good time to start the cycling process in the aquarium. Some folks use the trash can because they don't want to look at an tank full of rocks for several weeks. IMO it is better to do everything in the tank since the transfer between the trash can to the tank also filled with sand and such could prolong the cycling process to account for all the other surfaces in the tank not being colonized by bacteria yet.

I planned to use Dr. Tim's fish less cycle system, just not sure if it goes into the brute trash can or aquarium. If if matters, I plan to use live sand as well.

Both are really good options for helping the cycle along, I'm a particular fan of live sand but only the pre-packaged kinds such as Carib Sea Arag-Alive. Some LFS's will mix up their own "live" sand that I've often heard of having mixed results.

 

[don_chuwish]

The reef saver rock doesn't need bleaching or vinegar to get started. It's already very clean. But it is good to get it started developing the biology needed for long term success - and to minimize growing pains once in the tank.
Put it in a container big enough to cover it with salt water, provide heat and circulation. Cover the container. Add the bacteria in a bottle product of your choice (I've used several, all with equal success) and provide an ammonia source. Test just like cycling a tank, do water changes, keep an eye on phosphate. Let it go like this as long as you can bear to wait.
I like a garden tub or such just because it doesn't need much water and is easy to cover and keep out light. But you could just cover the tank glass and do it there too. We just don't want to allow any algae growth while this process progresses. See the BRS video about ULM tank cycling:

 

[flat6guy]

So the general opinion is not to bother with bleaching or vinegar when dealing with BRS reef saver rock?

 

[don_chuwish]

So the general opinion is not to bother with bleaching or vinegar when dealing with BRS reef saver rock?

It doesn't have organics all over it to remove by those processes because it is excavated out of the ground, not pulled from the ocean. Other types of dry rock like Pukani or Fiji was once live and covered in stuff that is now dead. Those should be thoroughly cleaned first. My Fiji dry rock from BRS had dried up sponges, dead & desiccated hermit crabs, bits of dry algae & various tube worm remains. Even after a good cleaning, the first time I put it in heated saltwater it turned into a nasty smelly dark colored stew of crud.

 

[don_chuwish]

Weird, double post.

 

[flat6guy]

So from what I’m gathering from this is that I can put the rock into a bucket of saltwater with a heater and circ pump and start my cycling.
Would it make more sense to just rinse the rock really well and build my rock structures then place in the tank? I watched the brs video. I assumed they had cured it first. My plan was to cure it then place in the tank to start a cycle. I planned on covering the tank with cardboard to prevent ambient light from entering.

 

[Idoc]

So from what I’m gathering from this is that I can put the rock into a bucket of saltwater with a heater and circ pump and start my cycling.
Would it make more sense to just rinse the rock really well and build my rock structures then place in the tank? I watched the brs video. I assumed they had cured it first. My plan was to cure it then place in the tank to start a cycle. I planned on covering the tank with cardboard to prevent ambient light from entering.

Others using that type of rock didn't need to cure it due to minimal organics...so bonus for you! If not curing, then I would go ahead and cycle it in the aquarium after setting up your aquascape. Add your sand afterwards so your rock isn't sitting on top of the sand, though.

 

[flat6guy]

I plan to get the plastic light difuser and cut it to fit the bottom of the tank. Place the rock on top of that and sand after. My first LFS I dealt with years ago said rock, water, sand in that order. My head says, rock, sand, water in that order. This way less gets blown onto and into the rocks.

 

[miPapareef]

No curing needed. Rock, sand, set a bowl in there, then poor the water in the bowl to keep the sand from blowing around.