Live rock question

Dsantamaria29 · Jul 10, 2019

I just ordered a Waterbed 220.6 which has a backorder of 4-8 weeks at the moment. In the meantime I'm trying to gather supplies to set it up when it arrives. One of the things I want to use is some Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock in addition to the reef rock I have in my current 120 gallon aquarium.

My question is should I wait for the tank to set up and then order it or order the rock now and allow it to "cure." I have a spare 75 gallon aquarium I could cure it in until the day I'm ready to use it.

Thanks In advance.

Katrina71 · Jul 10, 2019

I'd get your rock started, but you can do either.

Johniejumbo · Jul 10, 2019

It may be good to get it now and thin out any unwanted hitch hikers you may get. Be easier to do in a smaller tank.

road_runner · Jul 10, 2019

Dsantamaria29 said:
I just ordered a Waterbed 220.6 which has a backorder of 4-8 weeks at the moment. In the meantime I'm trying to gather supplies to set it up when it arrives. One of the things I want to use is some Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock in addition to the reef rock I have in my current 120 gallon aquarium.

My question is should I wait for the tank to set up and then order it or order the rock now and allow it to "cure." I have a spare 75 gallon aquarium I could cure it in until the day I'm ready to use it.

Thanks In advance.

If you are buying live rocks why are you curing it?
Unless the live rocks dried for couppe of days, curing will defeat the purpose of buying live rocks. I would do dry rocks at least it's cheaper if you will cure...

Halal Hotdog · Jul 10, 2019

Ohashimz said:
If you are buying live rocks why are you curing it?
Unless the live rocks dried for couppe of days, curing will defeat the purpose of buying live rocks. I would do dry rocks at least it's cheaper if you will cure...

There will always be a bit of die off from the shipping process as well as life on there that our tanks can't support.

road_runner · Jul 10, 2019

Halal Hotdog said:
There will always be a bit of die off from the shipping process as well as life on there that our tanks can't support.

But then why buying live rock?
Curing will wipe whatever is live in a live rock..so I wonder what's the benifits?

Halal Hotdog · Jul 10, 2019

Ohashimz said:
But then why buying live rock?
Curing will wipe whatever is live in a live rock..so I wonder what's the benifits?

There is a significant amount of bacteria and living organisms that will survive and add to the biodiversity that will make a tank stable.

road_runner · Jul 10, 2019

Halal Hotdog said:
There is a significant amount of bacteria and living organisms that will survive and add to the biodiversity that will make a tank stable.

Maybe your definition of curing is diffrent than mine.
Either way, good luck

Halal Hotdog · Jul 10, 2019

Ohashimz said:
Maybe your definition of curing is diffrent than mine.
Either way, good luck

If by curing you are actually sterilizing the live rock then yes there would be literally no point in purchasing live rock. Curing usually involves a large bin with saltwater, a pump, a heater, water changes, and patience.

Dsantamaria29 · Jul 10, 2019

I guess by "curing" I mean allowing the shipping die off to happen not inside the display. I wouldn't sterilize it because, as noted, that would be a waste of live rock. Basically sticking it in a temporary tank and holding it there until the display arrives. Maybe a better term would be "Quarantining"?

Halal Hotdog · Jul 10, 2019

Dsantamaria29 said:
I guess by "curing" I mean allowing the shipping die off to happen not inside the display. I wouldn't sterilize it because, as noted, that would be a waste of live rock. Basically sticking it in a temporary tank and holding it there until the display arrives. Maybe a better term would be "Quarantining"?

You used curing correctly. One thing I always wrestled with is adding a light. On one hand it would allow the algae to exponentially grow, but on the other you are providing a food source for any photosynthetic coral.

fish farmer · Jul 10, 2019

I bought Gulfview once before a tank upgrade/move. I got it about 4 to 6 weeks before and had it in a vat with heater/flow/ no light except for window light. Mine was the basic coralline rock so there wasn't much for life needing tons of light so I kept it without lights. It took about four weeks to cure. It was only 30 lbs so it was easy to inspect daily for die off and new life. I watched baby urchins grow almost daily.

User1 · Jul 10, 2019

With TBS rock there is no die off. It is shipped fully submerged and it is the closest thing to fresh there is in this hobby. So with regards to TBS the tank must be ready to go with water so you can add it immediately. And if it is used there is no cycle. It is without a doubt the best rock the hobby has to offer if you can manage the cost. There are hitch hikers but that is part of the fun in my opinion.

All other rock be it dry or from your LFS will need to cycle. You can't mix them right away. My current upgrade uses 150 LBS of dry pukani. Stay away from it. It is great rock size wise, holes to place frags, etc. The draw back is the constant leaching of phosphates and required time to mature properly. I think a lot of users of this rock purchase it ahead of time and cure in tubes, brute cans, etc.

Third option is the hybrid that such that KP Aquatics or others sell that is aqua cultured like TBS but is not shipped fully submerged. It will have a mini cycle.

road_runner · Jul 10, 2019

saf1 said:
With TBS rock there is no die off. It is shipped fully submerged and it is the closest thing to fresh there is in this hobby. So with regards to TBS the tank must be ready to go with water so you can add it immediately. And if it is used there is no cycle. It is without a doubt the best rock the hobby has to offer if you can manage the cost. There are hitch hikers but that is part of the fun in my opinion.

All other rock be it dry or from your LFS will need to cycle. You can't mix them right away. My current upgrade uses 150 LBS of dry pukani. Stay away from it. It is great rock size wise, holes to place frags, etc. The draw back is the constant leaching of phosphates and required time to mature properly. I think a lot of users of this rock purchase it ahead of time and cure in tubes, brute cans, etc.

Third option is the hybrid that such that KP Aquatics or others sell that is aqua cultured like TBS but is not shipped fully submerged. It will have a mini cycle.

That was my point. Mini cycle is not curing. So am questioning that we need curing on a love rock..

MnFish1 · Jul 10, 2019

saf1 said:
With TBS rock there is no die off. It is shipped fully submerged and it is the closest thing to fresh there is in this hobby. So with regards to TBS the tank must be ready to go with water so you can add it immediately. And if it is used there is no cycle. It is without a doubt the best rock the hobby has to offer if you can manage the cost. There are hitch hikers but that is part of the fun in my opinion.

If you are ordering this type of rock - when I have done it - you add it to the tank - lights on the usual schedule - with the usual filtration, etc. There is not a need to 'cure it'. If you want to rinse/dip each piece in fresh NSW before adding it to the tank - do that - but - if you put it in a bucket with circulation etc - you're just killing more of the stuff that was originally growing on the rock in the first place (IME). Measure the ammonia, etc in your tank - and do water changes as needed to keep it under control. You will likely have very little after a couple days. I would avoid Prime - in favor of water changes.

shred5 · Jul 10, 2019

TBS rock is shipped underwater so you want your tank going.
There is little die off but anytime you remove a rock from water there is chance of die off especially with sponges.
I would monitor for a while to make sure no ammonia spikes. Do not add any fish or coral for a while. You may also want to monitor for possible pests like mantis or crabs.

Some of the most beautiful rock in the industry. Usually has some corals, sponges and some macros. Possible urchins too...

User1 · Jul 10, 2019

MnFish1 said:
If you are ordering this type of rock - when I have done it - you add it to the tank - lights on the usual schedule - with the usual filtration, etc. There is not a need to 'cure it'. If you want to rinse/dip each piece in fresh NSW before adding it to the tank - do that - but - if you put it in a bucket with circulation etc - you're just killing more of the stuff that was originally growing on the rock in the first place (IME). Measure the ammonia, etc in your tank - and do water changes as needed to keep it under control. You will likely have very little after a couple days. I would avoid Prime - in favor of water changes.

Agreed - TBS requires nothing but the tank ready to go. Shipped fully submerged. Best stuff out there.

Wish I would have used it instead of dry pukani but hey, I have 2 in college so had to make some tough choices

User1 · Jul 10, 2019

Ohashimz said:
That was my point. Mini cycle is not curing. So am questioning that we need curing on a love rock..

TBS does not require any type of cure unless it is tied to shipping or user error. It is shipped fully submerged and you must pick it up from air freight at the terminal. Your tank is ready. Water in it at temp and proper salinity. Just as if you had a tank today with fish, corals, etc. So lights, everything is ready and operational.

You place your order, Richard dives the next day to get it, packages it up, ships it, you pick it up at freight, unbox, add to your tank. All less than 24 hours from boat to your door. Plus or minus a few of course for packaging, etc. But you get the idea. So no mini cycle. This is for TBS only.

Other source of aqua culture (KP Aquatics, etc) do not ship fully submerged. Partial water to save you money. May be die off and mini cycle.

Edit: Maybe I am not understanding or answering so sorry if I'm repeating what you already know.

road_runner · Jul 10, 2019

saf1 said:
TBS does not require any type of cure unless it is tied to shipping or user error. It is shipped fully submerged and you must pick it up from air freight at the terminal. Your tank is ready. Water in it at temp and proper salinity. Just as if you had a tank today with fish, corals, etc. So lights, everything is ready and operational.

You place your order, Richard dives the next day to get it, packages it up, ships it, you pick it up at freight, unbox, add to your tank. All less than 24 hours from boat to your door. Plus or minus a few of course for packaging, etc. But you get the idea. So no mini cycle. This is for TBS only.

Other source of aqua culture (KP Aquatics, etc) do not ship fully submerged. Partial water to save you money. May be die off and mini cycle.

Edit: Maybe I am not understanding or answering so sorry if I'm repeating what you already know.

No apologies at all. I am agreeing with you and was making this argument to the op. Just not ad beautifully detailed a you did.
Thank you