[philolsen]

I would like to know the best way to re-cure new live rock. I have bought 2 10 gal tanks, 2 10,000k lights, and powerheads. I need to know how to get the best results and what kind of time it needs to be seperate from my display tank, I have 40 lbs coming I bought on ebay that is sold as "fully" cured but I do not want to take a chance with my fish by putting it directly into my tank. Also, can I buy the "critters" to make this real live rock not just colorful coraline. I have a couple pieces of live rock in my tank currently I bought from a couple LFS's that I believe is fully cured, it has polyps and is completely covered in various colors of coraline and has algae growing on it (my tangs love it).
My tank has been set up for about 18 months with decorative pieces and this is my first time using live rock so PLEASE forgive my ignorance. I have a Fluval 404 filter, a Ramora skimmer, a 11w UV filter, a 260w light fixture (mounted 10" above tank for good air flow) with 2 10,000k and 2 actinic bulbs, it also has 4 moonlight led's. Temp is kept at 79-82 degrees. Livestock includes a Huma Huma Trigger, a Yellow and Kole Tang a 3 Stripped Damsel and a Yellow Tail Damsel. All the fish are happy and healthy and I want to keep it that way.

[philolsen]

I also picked up a 20 gallon, would it be better to set this up as the curing station and the 10 for a quarintine or the 2 tens for curing?

[sihaya]

Are you putting this in a new tank or an already established tank?

The best way to cure rock is to just put it in an empty tank with good water flow and lighting as if it were to be a display tank. Whatever sorry little critters are still clinging to life on that rock are most likely to make it if you treat them like you would a new coral or something. So basically, just quarantine it it like you would anything else.

If this is a new tank, I'd just cure it right there in the display tank. You need to "cycle" the system anyway. If it's an established tank, I'd add it little by little to the main tank over the course of two months or so, keeping the rest in a quarantine style tank.

Good luck

[sihaya]

Oh sorry... you already said it was an established tank. My bad. Oh well, I'll leave my post the same just in case anyone seeing the thread is wondering about this with a new tank.

[Reefland]

I think he is getting new liverock to put into an established tank, in which case it should be cured in a seperate tank for 3-6 weeks. To do this you need very aggressive water movement, and aggressive protein skimming. Once the water in the tanks with the liverock has stabalized (no ammonia, nitrite and low nitrate) you can then transfer it to your established tank.

[Saltie]

Hi philolsen,

Great question, I think everyone here has had to cure live rock at some point. Here is one way of doing it:

• Once you get the rock, open it and inspect each rock.
• Gently remove any dead slime or gunk that you can get to
• Dunk and swirl each rock in a bucket of freshly mixed saltwater
• Place each rock in a container for curing (almost any container is ok, I use a trash can)
• Make sure the container has aggressive water flow and protein skimming. (I use 4 to 5 powerheads)
• You only need enough saltwater to cover the rock, and you will need to change it (100% change) about three times a week
• Keep the water temp between 78 and 80 F if possible (this helps promote die off and may speed your cure time)
• clean the skimmer cup when you change the water
• It is a good idea to dunk and swirl the rock every other water change.
• When you notice the rotten egg small has gone away you can begin testing the water (no need to test when the water smells because you know the rocks are not ready for your display yet)
• When you no longer detect ammonia, nitrite or nitrate, or at lease low levels of each, your rock is ready for the display tank.

It may take 2 to 4 weeks to cure your rock depending on its condition when you receive it.

[philolsen]

I have a 20 gal. tank, two power heads (MJ 1200's)and a 10,000k light ready. The rock will be arriving tomorrow but I wont be able to get another skimmer for a couple weeks, what can I do in the meantime?

[Saltie]

The only way I know to remove desolved organics without a skimmer is to increase water changes.