Re-curing live rock

[zk0956]

I just bought 25 lbs of live rock from SWF and I have it in a tub of saltwater with a powerhead and a heater re-curing it. I tested the water and the ammonia is around 4... is this something I should be concerned about killing my live rock? How do I know for sure that the rock is ready to add to my already established tank?

 

[florida joe]

1.Place the live rock in a new 30-gallon plastic garbage can. Consider adding bottom drains to the container to speed draining and water changes.
2.Completely cover the rock with freshly mixed saltwater, with a specific gravity of 1.021 - 1.025.
3.Use a heater and keep the water temperature near 80 degrees to speed die off.
4.Provide constant water movement with a power head or air stone.
5.Keep the area dimly lit to prevent algae blooms.
6.Perform 100% water changes twice weekly.
7.Gently scrub the rock with a new nylon bristle brush or toothbrush between water changes to remove any white film or dead material.
8.When the water conditions stabilize and ammonia and nitrite tests are zero, the rock is ready to be placed into the display aquarium.

 

[richl]

Agree with Joe. I buy my rock from the LFS. Even if it's supposedly 'cured', I cure it at least another 4 weeks before it goes into a tank with fish. I believe rock can bring parasites into your tank, so I don't want it in contact with my fish until any possible ich dies off. That might sound very conservative, but I think it's worth the wait. When the ammonia drops, I add a little fish food now and then - bacteria needs to eat.

 

[zk0956]

Thanks, that is very helpful and what I was looking for, I will let you know how it goes.