Curing live rock

coderad

coderad

Member
I have had my live rock curing for about 3 1/2 weeks all test droped back to 0 Nitrites Nitrates and amonia. Went to add the rock to my display today and they still SMELL like uncured live rock. How else can I test to see if there cured?
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
When you were curing the rock, did you have a powerhead in the bucket stirring the water up?
Did you go any water changes on the rock while it was curing?
 
coderad

coderad

Member
I did not have a spare powerhead, but I was told I could use air stones, I have 2 large airstone under the rocks. I did 100% water changes once a week.
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
Just to be safe, I would let it sit in the buckets a little longer. This time though, don't do a water change and see if it spikes your levels.
 
coderad

coderad

Member
OK I'll give that a try, I did notice a spike even with the water changes. But I would rather play it safe.
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
Well you will know it is cured if it no longer spikes any. Give it one more week and if the ammonia does not spike at all, you know you are safe to add it.
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
You could try scrubbing it off if you think there is a lot of dead matter left on the rock. That may be possible since there is no powerhead stirring up the water and rock.
 
coderad

coderad

Member
Alright, I have it all scrubed up, stole a powerhead from my display and added one more air stone with a big pump. Hopfully I can get these rocks cured!!
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
Great! I am sorry to hear about your angel. I did not put 2 and 2 together and realize you were curing the rock (in this post) for your display (in the other post).
 
coderad

coderad

Member
Still not having much luck getting this rock cured, at 5 1/2 weeks levels spiked and droped again. But one side of the the rock still smells like it is un cured. (the bottom side). No water changes in a week and a half. Anyone have any Ideas, should I re-scrub and try again? :mad:
 
N

nereef

Guest
sorry man, if i were you i would just let it sit. no water changes, eventually the bacteria will catch up.
 
badoleross

badoleross

Member
Make sure your circuation is as high as you can get it. If your ammonia is above 1.0 change the water (50%). Look at the rock, if you have any area that are black or dark brown scrub the with a soft brissle brush and rince them in a seperate bucket of SW and return them to whatever you are curing the rock in. If you have a skimmer use that as well. You dont want to let you ammonia get high, that will just kill off additional bacteria. You need space between the rock for good water flow. I use a childrens swimming pool to cure LR.
 
coderad

coderad

Member
Alright I add yet another large power head did a patial water change, we'll see what happens. :thinking:
 
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