Live Rock

[Rickyrooz1]

Does live rock absorb phosphates and other organics? Say I were to cure live rock in dechlorinated tap water and put the rock into a display tank full of RO/DI water after curing. Would the live rock eventually leach the phosphates absorbed from the tap water into the display tank?

 

[Hardip]

I understood the purpose of curing live rock to disturb any settlement, albeit chemical or dirt, and perform water changes to prevent what was already released settling back into the rock. If you are using impure water (tap water will contain more impurities than just phosphates), then how can you realistically say you are curing the live rock?

 

[Rickyrooz1]

Curing the live rock is letting all the dead organisms die off so they don't stink up the tank and to start the biological filtration process. I posted this question because not all fish stores use RO/DI water and since most of us use RO/DI water for our reef tanks I'm sure there is leaching of impurities from the live rock.

 

[Corndork2]

I doubt the leaching is noticiable....though if you filled your tank with just tap, you would see more stuff in it then just RO/DI....but in our case I doubt any leaching is significant. If your really worried run phosban for a month

 

[goodguy]

I would use RO water to cure it. Put a pump inside and a heater also.

 

[Rickyrooz1]

I am asking about curing it in tap water. Would it absorb the impurities of the tap water and leach it once the rock is placed in R/O water?

 

[wld1783]

Yes it will absorb some impurities but the question is how much.

You put a dry sponge in tap water and take it out the sponge is still wet...Live rock is like a sponge, just holds less water.

IMHO I dont think a gallon of tap water will matter much with the right filtration...But then again it could be the straw that breaks the camels back.

Play it safe cure it in good water...It does not cost much. If it were me, I'd use old tank water to cure it. Its free after a water change.

Bill

 

[woodycb]

It will absorb the impurities, depending on how long it was at the fish store where you bought it. If you are going to use it to start a tank it will be fine, if you are going to use it in an established tank I would rinse it in RODI saltwater before you put it in your display tank. Also run GFO in a reactor if possible.

 

[Rickyrooz1]

Thanks guys, I was curious because if I added more live rock from the LFS they use tap water.