coralreef20g Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 Hey guys I was just wondering whether it'd be better to "cure" my dry rock in an enclosed plastic bin with saltwater a heater and a powerhead then start the aquarium once the rock is cured. Or should I just put the rock in the tank along with my live sand and let it cure amongst the cycle? Does it make any difference at the end of the day? Link to comment
SaltyBuddha Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 It will make a difference in how long your cycle is. I followed this guide and found it to be the best one out there. http://www.reefaquarium.com/2013/curing-rock-for-marine-aquariums/ Curing the rocks is a long process. Anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks depending on the quality. The main factors are the nitrates and phosphates in the rock. The nitrates will make it difficult to tell when your tank is truly cycling and the phosphates will lead to large algae blooms during the cycle and down the road. I followed this guide and after 4 weeks my rock had 0 Nitrates and .5ppm phosphates. 2 weeks before that I had 0 Nitrates and 5ppm phosphates. Phosphates for a reef tank should be down below .003ppm. Link to comment
yungKitten Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 @SaltyBuddha Great write up. Thanks for sharing! Link to comment
SaltyBuddha Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 2 hours ago, yungKitten said: @SaltyBuddha Great write up. Thanks for sharing! Thanks! Still have a lot to learn but willing to share what I've got lol Link to comment
samnaz Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Cure the rock in the tank. I highly recommend this because it makes aquascaping much easier as well as allowing for more interesting structures. Because the rocks are dry, you have all the time in the world to arrange them using rods/glue/epoxy/zipties/etc... When you're happy with the scape, add sand, add water, and wait it out. At the end of the day, the length of the cycle/curing process should not be a major deciding factor. A year down the road it won't matter. What your tank looks like will. Link to comment
Clown79 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Just cycle them in the tank. Why cure them in a bucket? Link to comment
yungKitten Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 21 minutes ago, Clown79 said: Just cycle them in the tank. Why cure them in a bucket? Theoretically, phosphates. Link to comment
SaltyBuddha Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Some people cure them in the tank. Others cure them outside. Lots of different opinions on how to do things here and they all get you to the same place. Either way it will work out in the end if you do your homework on the route you are taking. Link to comment
yungKitten Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Just now, SaltyBuddha said: Some people cure them in the tank. Others cure them outside. Lots of different opinions on how to do things here and they all get you to the same place. Either way it will work out in the end if you do your homework on the route you are taking. Your username suits you. Link to comment
SaltyBuddha Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 1 minute ago, yungKitten said: Your username suits you. Link to comment
Clown79 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 I did a vinegar bath on my rocks for 4 days prior to cycling. Lol. You can cure the rocks in bucket and still end up with phosphates. Link to comment
SaltyBuddha Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 1 hour ago, Clown79 said: I did a vinegar bath on my rocks for 4 days prior to cycling. Lol. You can cure the rocks in bucket and still end up with phosphates. See. One more options to choose from! Link to comment
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