Alright, Ill be setting up my tank here in a little over two weeks and am ALMOST ready to buy my LR. But My Game plan is a little screwed up.......originally I was gonna cycle my tank with uncured LR, but now I will be buying my LR from Ebay, and all their LR is supposedly "cured". So now, how should I cycle my Tank? I dont want to use Damsels, because I find it cruel and I cant stand the buggers, but I dont really know any other method? Also...... should I wait for my tank to cycle before adding my "Cured" LR, or should I still cycle my tank with it? And if I do wait till it is cycled, can I put the whole 80 LBS in at the same time, or slowly over the course of a week or so?
Adding "Cured" Live rock to a new Tank.....
- Thread starter kookerson
- Start date
fancyfish
Premium Member
you can placethe entire 80lbs in at once. If you have a local LFS get a handfull of rubble from their live rock and use to seed your tank. You can also use a piece of shrimp from the store. Melevsreef.com has some info. Personally for my very first tank I placed in the rock and left the tank fallow until it cycled. You can also buy an aquarium sponge and if you know a fellow reefer have them place in their sump for a couple of weeks and then use this to cycle. Time is what it will take and patience is what you will need. Don't use the damsel. Not fair to the fish and you may not want him in your tank should he survive.
So basically, I can still use Ebay's "Cured" LR to cycle my tank? In that case, let me ask another question.......when Im ready to add my LR to the tank, should I add the sand in there also and let it all cycle together? I imagine that it will probably take a little but longer for the tank to cycle, but, as everyone knows, patience is key!
Mariner
New member
Cured live rock invariably uncures when shipped. 
You should have enough die off for at least a mini cycle. In any case, the LR will have plenty of good biofiltering bacteria to seed your tank with. If it were me, I'd put it all in, aquascape it, and let it run for a couple of weeks -- measuring ammonia, nitrite and nitrate every day or two to see what's going on (if anything). If it cycles measurably, let it run its course and do a big partial water change when it finishes. I'd guess you'll be ready for a cleanup crew in 2 to 4 weeks.
HTH,
Mariner
You should have enough die off for at least a mini cycle. In any case, the LR will have plenty of good biofiltering bacteria to seed your tank with. If it were me, I'd put it all in, aquascape it, and let it run for a couple of weeks -- measuring ammonia, nitrite and nitrate every day or two to see what's going on (if anything). If it cycles measurably, let it run its course and do a big partial water change when it finishes. I'd guess you'll be ready for a cleanup crew in 2 to 4 weeks. HTH,
Mariner
DrHank
New member
You will want to remove anything dead or dying before you put it in your tank. If it smells it's dead is a good rule to follow. You are going to want to leave your lights off unless you want to be cycling it for the next six months. Plenty of water circulation throughout the rock. Prepare for several large water changes. Your ammonia is going to probably surge and you can't leave it too high for too long or you'll kill your rock.
You will want to check your rock often while it cycles (removing anything that starts to die) while cycling. Plan on changing all the water at least two to three times during the cycle. Also, you don't have to completely fill the tank but you do have to have all the rock completely submerged.
Turn your rock frequently and I'd recommend two or three powerheads to keep the circulation going. Good luck and go slow.
You will want to check your rock often while it cycles (removing anything that starts to die) while cycling. Plan on changing all the water at least two to three times during the cycle. Also, you don't have to completely fill the tank but you do have to have all the rock completely submerged.
Turn your rock frequently and I'd recommend two or three powerheads to keep the circulation going. Good luck and go slow.
DrHank
New member
Mariner, I'd recommend he hold on the sand until after the rock cycles. It's just easier to clean the dead gunk out of a bare bottom tank. If he gets drop shipped cured rock, there's no telling how good it's going to be. If it turns out to be really bad I use a 30 gallon trash can to cure. IMO.
thats kinda a problem. I COULD cure the LR in a tub......but I prefer to do it in my new aquarium for two reason....... I have a 3 year old that LOVES to explore things that he shouldnt get into and I would like to get my tank cycled with it. i do agree on the sand, though..........it just seems like it would be a REAL pain to get the sand in after it is all said and done.......
DrHank
New member
No reason not to use the tank but you only need enough saltwater to cover the rock. The three yera old is a valid concern. I haven't had one of those in 25 years so sometimes I forget. You may want to have a new trash can at least twice the size of the largest piece of rock handy. That way you can use it if necessary to scrub down and remove any sponge or other stuff that is on the surface of the rock. If you see something dying just submerge and scrub off.
The trash can allows you to cure the rock in total darkness. That caused the cycle to usually run quicker. It's also easier to drain and refil (but I forgot you'll need two so you can make up fresh salt water in the other). If you are fortunate enough to get good quality cured rock, there shouldn't be much living organisms visible on it. Don't worry though as it will all come back later.
Also (Mariner are you listening?) Mariner gave you some information that is right on the money if you get really good rock in. If I got primo stuff, I'd do it exactly the way he suggested! I always hope for the best and prepare for the worst. You're going to have some really neat things to show your 3 year old this year. Best of Luck!
The trash can allows you to cure the rock in total darkness. That caused the cycle to usually run quicker. It's also easier to drain and refil (but I forgot you'll need two so you can make up fresh salt water in the other). If you are fortunate enough to get good quality cured rock, there shouldn't be much living organisms visible on it. Don't worry though as it will all come back later.
Also (Mariner are you listening?) Mariner gave you some information that is right on the money if you get really good rock in. If I got primo stuff, I'd do it exactly the way he suggested! I always hope for the best and prepare for the worst. You're going to have some really neat things to show your 3 year old this year. Best of Luck!
Right on! I really appreciate all the help guys! Its kinda funny actually, because I grew up living with saltwater tanks, my dad ALWAYS had one. the thing is, we never really learned much cause he is one of those guys that kind of makes his own rules......... not very much favored by the LFS's. lol! But I come here to do things the right way, which is why I really appreciate everyone's input! Thank You very much!
