Uncured lr
- Thread starter mark24
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glenn
Guest
You can. It will prolong your cycle time. By how many weeks, dont know.
Glenn
Glenn
puffdad
Member
I researched this...There are a few tricks involved in this process to make sure that you cure the rock the right way & the die-off period (which is the whole point of 'curing' live rock--to allow all organisms harmed during transit of live rock to die off and remaining organisms to stabilize) ends as soon as possible & doesn't cause any long-term problems. I decided I will spend the extra money to get it cured because I decided I don't want to deal with it, but if you have the time to do it, it seems to be well worth the money saved...
A few things I recall being mentioned:
-When you get the rock, remove all dead organisms, as well as all sponges and macroalgae.
-There are a few types you need to be extra aware of (I believe one is the Chicken Liver Sponge, which dies off over a very long period of time & can cause major problems with tank cycling).
-Run the protien skimmer, powerheads, do daily water changes of 50-100% for first several weeks.
The book 'The New Marine Aquarium' by Michael Paletta details the process to follow.
A few things I recall being mentioned:
-When you get the rock, remove all dead organisms, as well as all sponges and macroalgae.
-There are a few types you need to be extra aware of (I believe one is the Chicken Liver Sponge, which dies off over a very long period of time & can cause major problems with tank cycling).
-Run the protien skimmer, powerheads, do daily water changes of 50-100% for first several weeks.
The book 'The New Marine Aquarium' by Michael Paletta details the process to follow.
@knight
Member
if the tank is new and has NO livestock (i dont consider damsels livestock), I would not spend the extra $$$ on cured LR for the cycle, yes it will take longer to cycle, cuz there will be more die-off, but other than that oyu wont see much of a difference. other than your wallet will be fatter.
[ July 30, 2001: Message edited by: @knight ]
[ July 30, 2001: Message edited by: @knight ]
misty
Member
I've cured two 40-50 batches...each one took about 3-4 weeks, and then I let my tank run w/o livestock for another 2 weeks after I "built" my reef structure.
I did it in a big cooler outside because the ammonia stench can be really horrid at the end of the first week. I've read that curing in warm water can speed up the process, which shouldn't be a problem this time of year in Sugarland.
I cleaned off all of the black die-off gunk at the beginning and then again about 1/2 way through I noticed some more and scraped it off.
Now I'm getting some nice coralline growth (a little slow until I get better lighting on it at the end of the week).
All in all, I'd do it again myself. Hard to beat the cost. I plan to get a very small quantity (maybe 5 lbs) of cured rock from my lfs to seed what I have already a little more.
I did it in a big cooler outside because the ammonia stench can be really horrid at the end of the first week. I've read that curing in warm water can speed up the process, which shouldn't be a problem this time of year in Sugarland.
I cleaned off all of the black die-off gunk at the beginning and then again about 1/2 way through I noticed some more and scraped it off.
Now I'm getting some nice coralline growth (a little slow until I get better lighting on it at the end of the week).
All in all, I'd do it again myself. Hard to beat the cost. I plan to get a very small quantity (maybe 5 lbs) of cured rock from my lfs to seed what I have already a little more.
misty
Member
Devante...unfortunately, you'll have to cure the rock separately from the tank that contains fish (or any other livestock for that matter). The curing process involves a pretty rough cycle, so you'd be subjecting your fish to REALLY high ammonia and nitrite levels...they wouldn't survive.
Anything but cured rock from your LFS (and even then, I'd watch levels DAILY) will cause a cycle and possible death to your fish. Your best bet is to cure rock separately and then when all levels are zero, add it slowly to your tank. Others may have a better idea as far as how much to add at a time of cured live rock.
Anything but cured rock from your LFS (and even then, I'd watch levels DAILY) will cause a cycle and possible death to your fish. Your best bet is to cure rock separately and then when all levels are zero, add it slowly to your tank. Others may have a better idea as far as how much to add at a time of cured live rock.
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glenn
Guest
Yes Devante...you can buy cured rock. Make sure the store knows if it is cured or not. It may raise your levels a little but nothing serious should happen.