Q? about curing old live rock.

cginter · Mar 10, 2015

I took down a tank a while back and saved about 60lbs of what was live rock. I stored the rock in a rubbermaid container out in my garage. I now want to use it in my new build coming up, so my questions are (1) how do i go about curing this rock? Assuming I put the rock in a container with salt water, heater and power head till it doesnt smell???? ... then is ok to put in my tank?

thanks.

Reefing Madness · Mar 11, 2015

Correct. But I wouldn't go by just smell, I'd test the norms, Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates.

cginter · Mar 11, 2015

So as soon as no am or no3 shows I'm good to go?

Reefing Madness · Mar 11, 2015

No not exactly, if your Amm and Trites are 0, and the water has Trates under 30, your good to go.

cginter · Mar 11, 2015

So basically do a cycle with the rock till it shows no ammonia or nitrates? Reef Madness

Reefing Madness · Mar 11, 2015

Ammonia and Nitrites, low Nitrates is ok. But in a nut shell, yes. Curing Rock is just cycling it.

GreatWhiteTang · Mar 11, 2015

I fill. Half of a brute trashcan with tank water. With a mag 5 in middle with pvc to. Almost. The surface heat and sometimes even light with a clamp. Lamp. Only actinic and let. That run until. Am and nitrite are 0, I agree nitrate <30 is good.

cginter · Mar 11, 2015

Ok thanks guys.

gulfsurfer101 · Mar 13, 2015

I would let it soak in fresh ro water, and run a reactor to trap any phosphates and any trace nutrients from old die off. Maybe a heavy h202 dip to get all that nasty stuff out the rock or you might get some nasty gha down the line. I've dealt with this situation before.

60squared · Mar 14, 2015

I always give old LR a good muratic acid bath

mc-cro · Mar 14, 2015

60squared said:
I always give old LR a good muratic acid bath

yup, bleach or vinegar bath at a bare minimum. I dont keep the acid at home since I have kids, and kids always find stuff to get into

60squared · Mar 14, 2015

mc-cro said:
yup, bleach or vinegar bath at a bare minimum. I dont keep the acid at home since I have kids, and kids always find stuff to get into

Agreed on both as well

cginter · Jul 15, 2015

So rock has been in container for about 4-5 days. Am is high nitrates are eh. Am I suppose to change the water out? Or should I let it run a full cycle till ammonia is gone?