Live Rock Help

[fishmike888]

I purchased 45 pounds of live rock and started curing last friday, doing one water change and a few ammonia tests. The instructions I recieved said that curing takes 1-3 weeks and that you might get some die off. It also said to monitor ammonia and when it is at 0 to put the rock in the tank. Well, it has been a week and i havent seen any die off and after testing the water it was somewhere between .25 and 0 more likely somewhere around 0. I just wanted to know if my rocks are ready to go in the tank; here are some pics of the rocks: <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/mistamike888/000_1260.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a> <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/mistamike888/000_1256.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a> <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/mistamike888/000_1255.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>

 

[DrBegalke]

what is in the tank?

just water/sand, sure, put the LR in.

 

[fishmike888]

no there is one fish in there, made the mistake of buying too early, don't know if if shud put the rocks in or not.

 

[TekCat]

Nice looking rocks!!!

The rocks will be ready for tank when ammonia AND nitrites are both ZERO!!!!!

I'd like to suggest a few general things. Once or twice a week 25-50% water change. While doing water changes inspect rocks, if you see dead matter on it use soft brush (toothbrush) to scrub dead gunk off. Also use turkey buster or powerfull powerhead to blow/clean rock's pores and holes. Dead junk cold be hiding there too.
Make sure your temperature and salinity both stable, run skimmer if you have one at full speed; and most important have good flow during LR cure.

 

[fishmike888]

ok just conducted a nitrite test it is at 0 and ammonia, as i said before is not too clear since the tests aren't that specific, so its hard to tell some colors apart, but it really looks like it is at 0. So should i just clean the rocks and throw them in or wait?

 

[TekCat]

Just wait a few more days... maybe a week.... just to be on the safe side.
Take sample of your water to LFS and have them check it...

 

[fishmike888]

ok thanks