Re-Cure Live Rock?

BlueFlare

New member
I am new to the hobby, I was just wondering if I needed to re-cure my live rock. After it was cured, I let it sit in the garage in the freezing cold for about a month. Also, will I need to add more bacteria to the tank once I start it up because I'm pretty sure there is no more bacteria left on the rock
 
BlueFlare you essentially answered your own question. The rock won't have the necessary bacteria since you likely were not adding ammonia to keep it alive, so you will have to recycle it, but can do so in your display tank.
 
Yeah I'd definitely cure it for a while. You can either do this in the display while its cycling or a separate tank/container. I prefer to do it separate. There will be some die off
 
Is it in cold water or did it dry out? If it's wet you could just heat it up, add some ammonia and see what happens.
 
Is it in cold water or did it dry out? If it's wet you could just heat it up, add some ammonia and see what happens.

I would go this route. The bacteria is still alive but just dormant. Feed it an ammonia source and it should go through a quick cycle way less than a month.
 
Do it again and take your time. Curing involves getting all of the unwanted nutrients, minerals, and crap off (wire brush!)and out of the rock. Followed by seeding bacteria while continuing to monitor your water. When that is done seed it with some purple coraline and wallah. No pests. Dry and dead rock are better than getting live. No green hair, worms, or mantis all purple.
 
Was the rock ever in a tank? How long was it wet originally?

I ask only because of phosphate and GHA. I made the mistake of putting uncured live rock into my new build, and have been fighting GHA from the leaching phosphate ever since.
 
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