Live Rock

[jdm01]

A few months ago I had to shut down my 90G and 65G tanks. I had to take down the rock work. I put all of the rock in plastic tubs and stored them in my parents mini barn. Not a good idea, but at the time it was my only option. I am in a position to set the tanks back up and want to use the rock to keep from repurchasing the live rock.

I will set the 90G up first, so I can use the 65G to cure the rock while I am cleaning up the 90G.

What is the best way to cure the rock and get it ready for use in the 2 tanks?

 

[thegrun]

Did your old set up have high nitrate or phosphate issues? If so I would give the rock an acid bath, then cycle it. If not simply put it in a tub of saltwater, add a couple of dead raw shrimp or pure ammonia and let the rock cycle. If you use pure ammonia, use pure ammonia without surfactants (available at most hardware stores). To be sure the ammonia does not contain surfactants shake the bottle and if it bubbles up like dish soap it has surfactants in it, pure ammonia will not have bubbles. To raise 100 gallons of water from 0 to 2 ppm ammonia you would need to add 0.8 grams (8 ml) of standard 10% pure ammonia.

 

[E46Twist]

+1, I'd just let it sit in a couple rodi baths to let it leach some stuff back out, then into salt water with a cycle starter.