Temp for curing rock

[fogcutter]

So we're having what passes for winter here in (Houston) Texas right now. I'm getting ready to start curing some rock but I have to do it in my garage where the temp is on average 15-20 degrees cooler than the house. I have a 200 watt heater that I've been testing in my DT in the garage and it's keeping the water 10 degrees higher than ambient but barely into the 70's. I'll be using a 30 gallon brute to cure the rock.

My question is, how important is it to keep the rock curing tank at 78 degrees? Can it be cooler say...like 67 or 68? If I add another heater I can probably get it up to spec but is it that important?

 

[Idoc]

The higher temps will allow any organics in the rocks to break down faster. I cured my pukani rock around 85 degrees and stuff featured pretty quickly.

At lower temps, it just might be a little slower process.

 

[EmdeReef]

68 is fine, the decomposition of organics will be slightly faster at higher temps.

 

[fogcutter]

Forgot to mention...it's the MarcoRock reef savers dry rock (man made) so i'm hoping the temp is less important.