Rock Curing Question

[mattyg18]

I've been curing 50 Lbs of Fiji Dry Live Rock from BRS for about two weeks now. I'm using a large rubbermaid tub with RODI SW, heater, and powerhead. The smell was awful for the first few days. I've been doing full water changes every 3 days or so. Less than a day after the first water change the ammonia level shoots way up to 5 or higher. There is no longer a smell. The water is clear. The rocks look pretty good. Is it safe to put them in a new tank i'm waiting to start up, or should I wait longer? I'm just concerned because the ammonia level shoots right up within a day.

I'm tempted to put them in my DT (which i'm waiting to start) and just get going. Just dont want to regret it.

Anyone who has experience with this i'd love to hear your advice.

Thanks a bunch!!

 

[kyle.nagel13]

I just cured my rock in the tank. Rinse the debris off them and throw then in the tank. If the ammonia spikes again, that's fine, just keep testing and waiting out the cycle.

 

[mattyg18]

Did you add sand also?

 

[jminick2]

Rock Curing Question

You can add the rock when ammonia and nitrites are 0 in some cases ammonia will go so high and the smell can get bad enough that it's needs 100% water change if it was me i would leave it in the stock tank

 

[mattyg18]

Jminick2-thankfully there is no longer a smell. Do I still need to do water changes? Or will the ammonia level eventually come down on its own.

 

[MadCnty]

And keep an eye on your phosphates as well, the dead matter on dry rock can raise them...

 

[jminick2]

Jminick2-thankfully there is no longer a smell. Do I still need to do water changes? Or will the ammonia level eventually come down on its own.

If the smell is gone I wouldn't do any water changes.

 

[crocogator106]

if the smell is gone i wouldn't do any water changes.

+1

 

[mattyg18]

ok good. just wasn't sure....

will the ammonia level eventually come down?

And how much longer do you think I have to wait to move it into a new DT setup?

Thanks again everyone

 

[jminick2]

Yes the ammonia will come down eventually. Is there anything living in your display now?

 

[mattyg18]

My display tank is completely empty. Not even any water. I'm waiting on these rocks to cure in order to fill it up and get it started. Its a new setup. Thats why I was wondering if I can transfer them over there and get it going. The water is clear in the tub and the smell is gone.

 

[jminick2]

I guess it wouldn't hurt, you going to use the same water? As it stands with there still being ammonia your rock is only partially cured. So you need to make sure that the ammonia is gone in before you add life.

 

[mattyg18]

I was planning on making all new RODI water for the DT. Is it ok to add the sand along with the rock? I would just rather add the sand before the water.

Also i'm not adding any life until the tank is completely cycled.