need some help starting my tank?

[pjcasabar@yahoo.com]

I was wondering if its possible to cure dried live sand and dried live rock? I am starting a new tank this week and i am not sure how to cure the dried up live sand and the dried rock i am wondering how to do it and how long is the process.. thanks for the help

[ToddTT]

I was wondering if its possible to cure dried live sand and dried live rock? I am starting a new tank this week and i am not sure how to cure the dried up live sand and the dried rock i am wondering how to do it and how long is the process.. thanks for the help

Sounds like dead rock. You can probably rinse it, and add it to your tank.

I would only add so much... ideally you will add live sand and live rock as well.

Don't add any livestock for a good while.

These might be useful:

Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

What is Live Rock, Anyway?

[leebca]

If the rock had contained life or had come from a running aquarium then dried, then it has dead organic matter in and on it. If that is the kind of rock you're talking about then it must go through a curing process.

Put it in a container (plastic bucket is good) three times the volume of the rock. Stack it so as much surface area of the rock is exposed to the water. Add salt water. Put in an airstone to keep the water moving slowly but thoroughly. After a couple of days, if there is any organics in or on the rock, the water will get cloudy and then begin to smell bad.

If this happens, continue with the process, changing the water every day. When the water remains clear and no longer smells bad, then the water should be check for ammonia and nitrites. When now those number read non-detectable, then the rock can be moved/used in the aquarium system.

[pjcasabar@yahoo.com]

what if i cure it in my tank i have a 80 gallon and not yet running can i cure it in there or will that make me use up more water becuase you said i have to change the water everyday? and how about my sand its been also dried

[leebca]

The choice of where to do it is pretty much your own. Pick any container or aquarium. Just keep in mind what you have to do.

The sand, if it was living and in with live rock, will best be thrown out than trying to thoroughly get it aquarium ready.

[pjcasabar@yahoo.com]

you mean throw it away and not use it or can it be re seeded..?

[leebca]

I mean throw it away. It's not that valuable enough to try and 'cure' it and potentially risk the lives of marine life later on. My assumption is that when it was used, it was used with live rock and had benthic creatures in it.