Curing Dead Live Rock??

[CHEMCHEF]

I aquired about 70# of dead live rock and i know curing it can be a bit of a b!*%h, what with constant water changes and all.
I am wondering if i can can cure it in the bay. My idea is to put it all in a large net and hang it off the end of the dock at my work place.
The tide never gets low enough for the rock to be exposed to air where i would hang it.
And if so. How Long Would It Take?

ANY Thoughts?

 

[wxl14]

You might pic up some unwanted parasites. I might start like that but finish curing in a tank.

 

[boardryder]

Wow. I like the idea, but as above you may end up with some things you don't want.

 

[CHEMCHEF]

Haw long do you think it will take to cure??

 

[georgelc86]

Maybe a week to two weeks

 

[mandown123]

you will 100%, wether you finish it off in a tank or not, if it touches the ocean, it will pick up some ocean goodies. no telling wether they will be microscopic bacteria, plankton, pods, or parasites or something else. its a risk you will be taking if you choose this method.

 

[CHEMCHEF]

If i cure it in my tank, how much water sould i change per day/week.
I will have nothing else in the tank
Tank
72 bow
4" sand Bed
20 gal sump
Aqua c EV 180 Skimmer

Rock Has Been Dry For About a Year

 

[mandown123]

if the rock has been dry, it may already be cured or nearly cured because of massive die off and decomp and drying out. you just need to check ammonia levels to make sure it doesnt spike with test kits. the water change just helps to get the ammonia down.

 

[georgelc86]

Just place it in the tank with filters going and change 10 to 20% once a week. Once your nitrogen cycle is stable then your pretty much good to go. I always felt that by doing massive water changes during rock curing and/or tank cycling that your fooling yourself because your not giving the nitrifying bacteria enough waste to properly multiply to handle the waste present in the tank.

 

[wxl14]

This is the best way really plus you get to learn the most important rule of marine aquariums Patience. And actually its good house keeping practices also.

Just place it in the tank with filters going and change 10 to 20% once a week. Once your nitrogen cycle is stable then your pretty much good to go. I always felt that by doing massive water changes during rock curing and/or tank cycling that your fooling yourself because your not giving the nitrifying bacteria enough waste to properly multiply to handle the waste present in the tank.

 

[bad coffee]

if it's going into a new tank (with NO other life in it,) you can add a bit of household ammonia to jump start the nitrogen cycle. add it drop by drop until you get 3-5ppm on your test kit.

B

 

[Killerdrgn]

if it's going into a new tank (with NO other life in it,) you can add a bit of household ammonia to jump start the nitrogen cycle. add it drop by drop until you get 3-5ppm on your test kit.

B

or a cocktail shrimp.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Or a pinch of fish food.

 

[boardryder]

I just received some dry rock yesterday and I would have to say it surely needs some time to cure. I put about 35 lbs in a tub and after seeing the water and the smell I am sure glad I'm curing it.