I've been having success "cooking" (i.e., curing for 11-13 weeks as opposed to 3 or 4) both new live rock and stuff that has been in my tanks and had algae problems. I am getting ready to start a new tank and have a question for more veteran cookers: if I can spare the time and space, would it be better to let my new tank go thru the nitrogen cycle BEFORE adding any (cooked) live rock? I was thinking, just add one or two small pieces from an existing tank, along w/ some live sand and a few snails and crabs, feed 'em a bit, and let it go for 4 to 6 weeks; THEN add the cooked live rock (and turn on some lights). Any thoughts? Also, for any biologists out there, is there an upper limit to the water temperature used for cooking -- I shoot for mid-80s, but I recently discovered sometimes my tubs get warmer than that (crummy old heaters!). Does anyone know if there's a (reasonable) temperature that would actually harm the bacteria inside the rocks? (I don't mean 180 degrees; but what about 90 or 95?) Thanks for your help.
Live rock "cooking" question(s)
- Thread starter apurintun
- Start date
Avast Marine
.Registered Member
If you don't have any rock or sand (I'm making an assumption here) whats going to keep your cycle going?
Well, I would have sand -- including some "live" sand from my existing tanks. Back in the day (25+ years ago), we didn't even know about live rock, and we ALWAYS cycled our tanks w/ sand and some "source" of ammonia like an anemone or a damsel; I'm suggesting using a few snails and/or hermits, plus a couple small pieces of rock (just to make it a little bit interesting). The thought (correct or insane) was that the cooked rock would do better (i.e., stay cleaner) not having to go thru the cycle. Just a thought. I want to know what others think.
