--= Question about curing LR? =--

[J Crew]

alright, i'm setting up a 55gal. do i have to let my tank cycle before i can put LR in? i was also seriously considering curing my own LR... since it's a dollar less a pound. wouldn't this be worth it since it's a brand new tank with nothing in it? i'm looking at Premium Aquatics LR. heard many good things about them. thanks for any input and help.

 

[J Crew]

sweet, thanks for the info. so how long should i wait to put the rock in once i set up the tank?

 

[Katspaw]

If you leak test the tank and everything is fine, then you will add your saltwater and sandbed. once the cloud is settled, then you can see to add your live rock. It works better this way cause you can arrange the rocks at the same time. Depending on how long it will take for the water to clean.

Tracey

 

[bashcraft]

When you cure the rock in your tank, the tank is cycling during this process. Your ammonia and nitrite readings will spike and then return to zero when the cycle is finished. Usually 4-6 weeks.

Bob

 

[oafie2244]

I would definitely recomend curing your own rock it is much cheaper and you don't have to wait for the tank t fully cycle. The rock can actually speed the cycling process along. Just put the rock in how you want and make sure to do at least a pound per gallon. I am also running a 55 and did the same thing you are thinking about doing, it has work great. After cycling the tank I have had no amonia problems or nitrite I think in part cause I lost all my die off at the same time and so my rocks just started new growth after the cycling.

Good luck

Brett

 

[J Crew]

i was just thinking... if i put the uncured LR in my tank for curing... won't this harm/kill my live sand? or will it be ok? thanks

 

[JohnD]

If you start out with inexpensive "dead" SD, the curing LR will help the sand get a helping of beneficial bacteria.

 

[J Crew]

so then i should set up the tank but leave out the LS... then add the uncured LR and let it cure. once this is done and i know the tank is fully cycled... i should purchase the LS and put it in my tank? just let me know if i'm on the rigt track or not, thanks for all the help

 

[esmithiii]

Order I would do:

Set up tank, fill with fresh water, test for leaks.
Empty tank
Add normal sand, not live sand up to 4-6"
Add water and salt
Adjust till your salinity is 1.026 (don't listen to your LFS about salinity)
Wait a day or so
Add liverock.
turn on skimmer and powerheads
Let cycle 1 month
add live sand
continue testing
wait 1-2 months
add first fish if water parameters are OK
wait 1 month
add first coral if water parameters are OK

Meanwhile, buy like 3-4 good reefkeeping books and READ READ READ

This is a good recipe for success. Take it slow and did I mention that you should read?

Ernie

 

[pm_devin]

Is it possible to add uncured LR little by little over a few months as long as there is nothing else in the tank?

 

[oafie2244]

If you add uncured LR you may slow the curing process cause you are spiking the nitrate and nitrite levels with all of the die off. Pay for the cheaper uncured at first and buy the bulk of what you will want/need. Then pay the extra buck for the cured LR once tank has fully cycled. Just a suggetion may not be entirely correct but it is what I did and I haven't had a problem with nitrate nitrite spikes. Good luck to ya.
Brett

 

[esmithiii]

BTW- Your tank (and house) will stink during the curing process.

E

 

[Mouse]

Stinky Stinky. Dont have any dinner partys, he he.

 

[J Crew]

lol, yeah i've heard it will stink. but that's ok. i used to it cause i have two house dogs that are not fully house broken. so everyday when i get home they have a nice surprise waiting for me

they love me so much

anyways, as you could imagine... it's not the sweetest smell ever. hopefully me and my fiance will have the money come next year to buy some tile to lay down in the game room where they like to lay the lumber... i'm thinking that will help them not use there since the smell will be gone.

sorry for the rambling... lol, just trying to say that i'm prepared for the smell. peace and thanks again for all the help