msuzuki126
New member
hello, when curing live rock, i heard u should scrub the rock in saltwater and also let the rock sit in saltwater for 5 days. Is this correct, any suggestions? thank you
curing live rock
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msuzuki126
New member
suggestions please! 
TheCoralReef731
New member
When curing the LR, put it in a bucket after scrubing (if you want to) and keep the lights off. Keep a powerhead going, or some sort of water circulation. Do 50% water changes every 2 or 3 days for a week and a half. If you notice any dead objects during this process, remove them. After a week or so of this, your live rock should be cured. If you want it ultra cured, just extend the time period with more scrubing and more water changes.
msuzuki126
New member
thank you very much
Ibrakeforreefs
New member
First off, you do not need to scrub the live rock in saltwater. If you want to keep the life on the rock, you don't need to scrub it. However, if you don't, then it is possible that it will retain some macroalgaes which may grow to pests later on.
IMO, I would recommend scrubbing it pretty well. Take out 5g out of the curing container and pull out the rock 1 at a time and scrub it with a soft-bristle tooth brush (like used for cleaning potatos).
IMO, I would cure the rock either in tank or in a 32g Brute trash can. You may need to leave it in the container for more than 5 days. You need an ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test kit (Seachem has good ones and you can get a pack with those three for about $26). Anyways, keep your rock curing in your container with a powerhead and a heater.
THERES MORE:
When your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate all read 0 you are fully cured. Transfer the rock to the tank if you cured it in the container. Then check and make sure everything is still reading 0.
1 week after the readings are all 0, you can add your cleanup crew. 2 weeks after you add the cleanup crew (as long as everything still reads 0), you are okay to add your first fish. Make sure you stock your tank slowly and don't add too much. Research before adding anything to your tank.
Good luck and happy reefing!
Your friend,
Ibrakeforreefs.
IMO, I would recommend scrubbing it pretty well. Take out 5g out of the curing container and pull out the rock 1 at a time and scrub it with a soft-bristle tooth brush (like used for cleaning potatos).
IMO, I would cure the rock either in tank or in a 32g Brute trash can. You may need to leave it in the container for more than 5 days. You need an ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test kit (Seachem has good ones and you can get a pack with those three for about $26). Anyways, keep your rock curing in your container with a powerhead and a heater.
THERES MORE:
When your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate all read 0 you are fully cured. Transfer the rock to the tank if you cured it in the container. Then check and make sure everything is still reading 0.
1 week after the readings are all 0, you can add your cleanup crew. 2 weeks after you add the cleanup crew (as long as everything still reads 0), you are okay to add your first fish. Make sure you stock your tank slowly and don't add too much. Research before adding anything to your tank.
Good luck and happy reefing!
Your friend,
Ibrakeforreefs.
Ibrakeforreefs
New member
One thing I forgot.
Theres 2 sides to whether you should light your rock during curing it. If you keep a light on it, you will have more life on it initally but most of it will die over time and some may turn into nuisance problems (a lot of macroalgaes will grow like crazy and are a PITA to remove). I prefer to keep mine in the dark as this retains the beneficial bacteria that you are curing the rock to obtain and you will have nice looking rock (even if it is missing some coralline algae on it)
As far as water changes.. they are not necesary. I would do one every 2 weeks (if your cycle takes that long.. it may not). Also, if your ammonia ever reads higher than .5-1 ppm, then you also want to do a 25% water change. When your cycle is done and everything is reading 0, you may want to do a 25% water change however it is not completely necesary.
Good luck!
Theres 2 sides to whether you should light your rock during curing it. If you keep a light on it, you will have more life on it initally but most of it will die over time and some may turn into nuisance problems (a lot of macroalgaes will grow like crazy and are a PITA to remove). I prefer to keep mine in the dark as this retains the beneficial bacteria that you are curing the rock to obtain and you will have nice looking rock (even if it is missing some coralline algae on it)
As far as water changes.. they are not necesary. I would do one every 2 weeks (if your cycle takes that long.. it may not). Also, if your ammonia ever reads higher than .5-1 ppm, then you also want to do a 25% water change. When your cycle is done and everything is reading 0, you may want to do a 25% water change however it is not completely necesary.
Good luck!
