How the "cure" Live Rock

[GregJames]

I have a tank that is still cycling with live rock on the way. Once it gets here, I was told to "cure" it before adding it to the tank. Can anyone explain to me what that entails?

 

[lonbrat]

I have a tank that is still cycling with live rock on the way. Once it gets here, I was told to "cure" it before adding it to the tank. Can anyone explain to me what that entails?

Correct me if I'm wrong///

If it's a new tank, I think you can cure it in the tank, some of the organisms will die off, creating an ammonia spike, which in your case would be good to start a cycle.
Still a noob so I'm not sure, I did it with my tank and it cycled fine ^^

 

[GregJames]

Ok, it is new; however, I have 2 hardy fish with a cleaning crew in there. Will it create enough of a spike to harm them, or will they be fine?

 

[lonbrat]

Ok, it is new; however, I have 2 hardy fish with a cleaning crew in there. Will it create enough of a spike to harm them, or will they be fine?

If anything the fish will cause their own demise from urine, food etc. Now,that's not to say they won't pull through the cycle if you get minimal die-off on your rocks. Putting fish in a new tank before it had time to cycle is always a bad idea.

 

[GregJames]

Yeah I was told to use hardy fish for the cycle prior to learning that a dead shrimp would've been better. But this is where I am now..

 

[lonbrat]

I was also informed when I first started out by my lfs that 2 damsels would cycle my tank and get along.
They both died within a week, and I learned about phantom feeding and shrimp.
I'd continue coming to the forum for help in future before doing anything ^^


If you want to save your fish, 1. I'd consider asking your LFS to hold them for you while your tank cycles
2. Make a quarantine tank and keep them in there, with daily water changes about 30-50% and maybe add prime just in case.
3.wing it see if they live or die, you can also dose prime to your tank. It makes ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates " invisible" for I believe 48 hours.
Invisible meaning, they won't harm your fish during the time, but still exist, and will come back after that time has passed.


Or... you can have a fish cycle, let them die and wait for the tank to cycle and try again..

 

[GregJames]

Ok, I'll start working that out.
So once the rock arrives, what do I do to cure it?

 

[lonbrat]

Just put it in your tank. You need it to cycle at all. The bacteria also might be enough to save the tank.
(Might)

 

[CStrickland]

I dont get it
do you have fish and a cuc in an empty tank?

 

[GregJames]

I have 2 fish, CUC, and 30lbs live sand. I've been phantom feeding as well. All is well for now and it's been a week. Both fish are very active and eating well

 

[gone fishin]

The way I see it your options are:

put the rock in the tank and let it cycle there and hope for the best with regards to the livestock.

Put the rock in a separate container let it cycle then add to the tank.

remove the livestock put the rock in the tank and let it cycle.

Good luck just my 2 cents

 

[GregJames]

That's what I came up with also, I appreciate it