How to cure base (dead) rock.

[saltycrab]

I found a place where I can get old coral heads that are from an ancient reef (few thousand years old). I am setting up a budget frag tank and want to use the dead coral as live rock in the sump. After I cleaned it off I have had it in a cooler in saltwater for about a month. I only did one water change and I haven't been testing the water. There is one power head circulating water. I just got some T5s and now I am going to put those over the cooler too. I threw in some shrimp pellets a while ago to start a cycle. I am wondering if this rock will be effective as live rock and if anyone has ever used dead coral heads.

 

[teen]

if its just base rock, nothing rotting or dead on it, you can just put it in an established tank and it will basically be live in a month or so.

 

[murf48]

I have one piece of dead coral in my tank. I brought it back from Bermuda. I never cured it, I just put it in the tank. The only thing that grows on it is hair algae... nothing else. It's been in the tank for about 6 or 8 months

Sorry for the pic quality

need to get a tri pod

 

[saltycrab]

Thats encouraging

 

[murf48]

You might want to add a couple of pieces of cured rock just to help with proper cycle

 

[ophiura]

This rock, frequently called "Texas Holey Rock" is commonly used as base rock and there is no reason, after rinsing, to not just put it in the tank. Live rock is a matter of definition. Live rock fundamentally is live because of the bacteria growing on it, in which case it will become live in time without issue. It tends to be a bit less porous than"live" live rock.

 

[saltycrab]

The only thing I want to do with it is put it in a rubbermaid container and use it as a sump for a frag tank.