Curing LR and Water Changes

[Topher]

I need your help! I will be redoing my 55. I will be adding 100 lbs South Down and 50 Lbs LS, also at the same time I will be adding 100Lbs LR. Here is the question do I do water changes while the rock cures to keep as much life alive as I can, or do I just let it sit and change the water after it has cycled? Also I have 60 Lbs CC that has been in the tank for over a year and was thinking of adding a refugium with the CC to the main tank any ideas is this good or bad? Thanks

 

[gt8448a]

I have heard other people say that they cure their live rock in a container outside the main aquarium, that way when it's cured the water can be thrown away. You'll need a large container, heater, power head for water movement, and a protein skimmer to help with waste removal.

HTH, Harrell

 

[JohnD]

Chris,

I have a couple of questions for you. Where is the location of the tank where you are planning to cure the rock? The reason I ask is because the curing process will release some foul biological products. Your wife and children will not appreciate the smell, especially if the tank is in the living room or the bedroom. A better place for the tank is in a well ventilated garage or basement. If you can't move the tank (and who wants to), consider using a couple of food safe Rubbermaid containers for the curing process.

The second question is, what is currently in your tank? With the possible exception of damsels, everything else in the tank will probably die during the curing process. If that is not what you want, you will need to consider a new home for your critters, at least until the rock has cured.

You can avoid these problems if you buy small amounts of cured LR (say 10 lbs or less at a time) and add it slowly to your tank.

These 2 questions were only meant as some background thought. In answer to your 1st question, I would do water changes. That way the ammonia from the die-off does not get so high that it kills everything in the tank, but the remaining ammonia does provide for a strong cycle.

[ March 01, 2002: Message edited by: JohnD ]</p>