Cooking Live Rock - Exact Process?

[Bene']

Sorry for not being clearer. What I meant was that I thought his comment was way off base. I know the "cooking" works as I have done it myself.
I went on to mention a similar process I have used. Which is cause massive dense algae growth via sunlight while the bacteria does its action sheltered from the light under the algae then trim the algae and repeat until the rock is clean and the algae stops growing.
When I do that to rocks they are in tanks not allowed to dry out in the sun. I think Bombers way is more complete though as its end result leaves all the algae dead not just really starved and partially dead.

 

[BlindRI]

I don't understand why you wouldn't benifit from "cooking" newly purchased live rock.

Aren't all rocks a few million years old and getting the crude out and opening up the pores (so to speak) would really help.

And isn't the same as quarantining an unknown new substance that could harm your system?

 

[SeanT]

I would do it to most of the "new" LR for the following reason:
Just cuz I can.

Seriously, I would do it because of all the die-off in the packaging, handling, shipping plus to get out whatever was already in there.

When I eventually upgrade to a larger tank, I plan on setting that tank up first.
Transporting almost all of my current LR into it (no corals or fish).
Order live rock from several different areas (Fiji, Marshall, Tonga etc.)

Take a piece or two from each to place in the tank.
I doubt it will cause a cycle.
I will do that to hopefully trasport some varieties of life.

I will cure/cook the rest.
Place it in the tank when thru.

Remember, just because you are paranoid doesn't mean someone isn't out to get you.

 

[CAreefer]

One question about "cooking" live rock. I would need to buy a couple of the rubbermaid stock tubs to rotate the rock through. Would a piece of plywood over the top be sufficient to block light? would that hinder or not allow for gas exchange? I can put a powerhead at the surface and run the airline from the venturi outside of the stock tub. Also, Having to make that much ASW would cost me a fortune in DI resin. The water leaving my RO membrane is between 10-12 ppm TDS. Would using this water to mix the ASW lengthen the cooking process?

Thanks for any help.
CAReefer

 

[SeanT]

Plywood would work fine.
That is what I use.
The fit, due to the warping of plywood, isn't perfectly flat so plenty of air would get in there.
Just make sure your powerhead agitates the surface of the water.
The powerhead is for aeration and not flow. No need for airliline tubing imo.

The water from ypur RO should be fine.

Just be vigilant on your water changes and swishing the first couple of weeks and then about 3 times every two weeks after that.

Swish, swish, swish.

 

[kwjones]

Cooking and curing LR are two different things.

Curing allows the build up of bacteria to deal with the nitrogen cycle.

Cooking is the process of cleaning out all the detritus that's built up in the pores of the LR and started the cycle to begin with. Have you looked at your LFS curing tubs? There's a lot of detritus in there just rotting....OK, so "Cooking" is just an extended curing process.

I have 2 25 gallon Rubbermaid tubs, two Maxi-Jet 900 powerheads and a 50 watt heater. In one tub I have 12 gallons of saltwater, the powerheads, the heater and the LR covered with about 2" of water. Every Friday I mix up 12 gallons of saltater in the other tub. I will admit that I'm not using RO/DI water for cooking the rock, just well water that is loaded with silicates. I hope I don't get a big diatom bloom when I finally add it to my tank, but I can deal with that using regular water changes with RO/DI. Saturday, I dunk/swish, and hit the LR with a powerhead and transfer it to the tub of clean saltwater. I put the lid on the tub, but leave it cracked open a little bit so it gets some fresh air in it.

For the first month, the tub that the rock was in, the water was yellow with the whole bottom of the tub covered in detritus, dead macro algae and all sorts of other junk. I eventually caught a mantis shrimp in there. This last Saturday, I might have had enough detritus in the bottom of the tub to fill half to 3/4's of a shot glass. The first month, I probably could have filled up a shot glass or two. Now, the water is no longer yellow. I tested the water just for the heck of it last friday...Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 20ppm, pH 8.2, SG 1.023, temp 78. Some of the coraline has bleached, but not as much as I thought. Sponges and tunicates are growing all over it.

I'm transferring the 30lbs of LR that I've been cooking for the last two and a half months into my tank tomorrow because there's almost NO detritus in the bottom of the tub as of last night. Then I'm taking ALL the LR that's already in my tank, about 50 lbs, and cooking it for the next 3 to 4 months because it's super dirty. Since I don't have any coral in my tank, I've been leaving the lights off on my tank so I don't grow any more algae. When I do turn the lights on to feed the fish, there's not as much algae as there used to be, but it's still there.

 

[reefsociety101]

"OK, so "Cooking" is just an extended curing process" - Now there an easy explanation I can understand!

 

[SeanT]

Well...it CAN be but it isn't always the case.
You can't cure cured rock right?
But you CAN cook cured rock.

Cooking has nothing to do with the ammonia cycle.
It has to do with changing the conditions the rocks are in from an algal dominated (lit) to a bacteria dominated (dark) system.

Enabling the bacteria to get the upperhand and 'bore' into the rock and consume all the organics (Phosphorous), thus eliminating the algae's food source, thus killing the algaes off.

 

[reefsociety101]

Going to home depot to get some containers and I'm cooking tonight!

Quick questions for those who are expert chefs, when the live rocks are done cooking do they look sterile, dead with no life? Or are do they still look like live rock and not dead rock? Thanks!

 

[mps9506]

Going to home depot to get some containers and I'm cooking tonight!

Quick questions for those who are expert chefs, when the live rocks are done cooking do they look sterile, dead with no life? Or are do they still look like live rock and not dead rock? Thanks!

It'll be purdy much white. But keep in mind it is still laden with bacterial life which is what we are aiming for. If your tank conditions are correct once it goes back in it will be covered in corralline in no time at all.

 

[reefsociety101]

MPS,

That's what I was afraid off, the rock just looks so natural and good, but like you said if the tank conditions are right coralline will be back in no time and hopefully I haven't missed it too much.

Would this process be beneficial regardless of tank type ie. SPS dominated, softies or LPS?

Wouldn't the process be easier if we started out with old dead white rock and add bacteria to it? Or maybe seed it? Wouldn't the result be the same?

 

[mps9506]

MPS,

That's what I was afraid off, the rock just looks so natural and good, but like you said if the tank conditions are right coralline will be back in no time and hopefully I haven't missed it too much.

Would this process be beneficial regardless of tank type ie. SPS dominated, softies or LPS?

Wouldn't the process be easier if we started out with old dead white rock and add bacteria to it? Or maybe seed it? Wouldn't the result be the same?

Dead rock can still be loaded with all kind of nutrients for algae to feed off of. I figure it is easier to start with rock that already has the bacteria, then just let it gain the "upperhand" like Sean said.
although I don't see any reason you can't start with base or dead rock and do this, I would still cook it just to see what kind of crud comes out, my bet is a lot. you essentially are adding a step or two to the process by using dead rock. since you will have to seed and cycle it first, then cook it.
Once you start on your first batch and see how much crud comes out, you will be amazed.

 

[reefsociety101]

MPS,

Thanks! That makes sense.

 

[SeanT]

In actuality, Coraline coverage inhibits the critters you want on your rock a nice home.
It covers up all the...well, holes.
The rock will be pretty pale but it does cover up quickly.
Much more quickly now that you don't hae the phosphates inhibiting the growth or Coraline now.

And don't be fooled.
They are chock full of life.
Some of my rocks have been cooking since early August and are covered with pods, mysid shrimp ,sponges, worms and others.
All the good stuff.

And like Mike said, the beneficial bacteria are still there.

 

[mps9506]

Ditto on what Sean said. My rock cooked for 3 months and was teeming with mysids once I started my display tank back up. I dunno how they make it through it with no nutrient input, but I had all kinds of critters in my rock.

 

[npaden]

Why don't you just buy some base rock and leave it out in the driveway for a few good rain storms? Hose it down with a pressure washer? I think you would end up with rock about equally devoid of any useful life. I really think this whole bare bottom tank, cooking the live rock to make it dead rock is silly.

If anything is living through the process then you must not be "cooking" it long enough. I'm sure there are still nutrients in there somewhere!

FWIW, Nathan

 

[SeanT]

Hey Nathan,
If you get 'mined' rock like from reeferrocks that should be fine.
But if the rock was live and just got dried out to make base rock, the problem with that is the organics are still there and will leech out eventually.
Sean

 

[mps9506]

Why don't you just buy some base rock and leave it out in the driveway for a few good rain storms? Hose it down with a pressure washer? I think you would end up with rock about equally devoid of any useful life. I really think this whole bare bottom tank, cooking the live rock to make it dead rock is silly.

If anything is living through the process then you must not be "cooking" it long enough. I'm sure there are still nutrients in there somewhere!

FWIW, Nathan

I don't think you understand it. You are not cooking it to make it dead, you are cooking it to remove the phosphates and other nutrients that feed algae. You are ending up with live rock that is full of life, but no algae or fuel for algae.
That is the purpose of this process, not killing the live rock, it does not end up devoid of life, it ends up full of good bacteria that makes setting up your tank a pretty easy process.
Mike

 

[npaden]

Sarcasm off.

I understand the process, I just don't understand the reasoning behind it. This hobby is so funny to watch as the pendulum swings from one side to the other. When I got my rock it was important to get the freshest "Raw" rock with all the algae and crap still on it. I cured it in the display tank right off with a 5" DSB. It's over 3 years later and the tank looks great. No nusiance algae and I'm not worried about it.

The keys to a nice tank IMO are a really good skimmer and really good water flow. You can cook your rock for years and if you don't spend the $ on a good skimmer and have good water flow you are going to end up with problems down the road.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[SeanT]

Nathan, I completely understand where you are coming from.
I have followed several different ways myself.

However, I feel that cooking rock, especially rock that has been in our systems for awhile, isn't a fad or better yet, isn't a method of reekeeping.

Think of it along the same lines as doing water changes.
We all know that water changing is not mandatory with any regularity.
But few will argue the case that it doesn't help and I don't know of any who will try to argue it is bad (there may be some who will :twitch: , I just don't know them).
Regardless of the 'system' one employs, water changes are a good thing.

Now think of algae. None of us want it. Cooking rock gets rid of the organics (Phosphorous) deep in the rocks which starrves off the algae.

I have been cooking my rock since August.
It is all going back in my tank soon.
I took PUH-LENTY of before pictures.

I will post them all here.