Why Isn't It Smelly?!

[Random Aquarist]

I've had approx. 50 lbs of LR curing in a 75g tank since yesterday. I've read that it should smell due to the decay, but I can't smell it unless I put my nose right to the lid. Even then, I just barely smell the salt. Is there something wrong? If this info helps, my dad didn't let me scrape off the rocks, so is it that the smelly parts aren't exposed yet? I have 44 more lbs of LR coming on Wednesday, so I still have more to do.

 

[rustybucket145]

Don't scrape the rocks. If no smell they are probably in pretty good shape!

 

[rooroo]

Give it a few more days. It can take a week or more for stuff to die off.

I agree, don't scrape the rocks! You might scrape off some cool stuff.

 

[Fuegofish777]

it can mean a couple things. you either got really good rock and its not dying, or its not really good live rock and theres nothing on it to die...hopefully its the former.

 

[Peter Eichler]

You should remove any sponge, algae, or dead looking "stuff" on the rocks if that's what you mean by scraping. If the rock is fairly fresh it won't foul the water as much as the rock itself smelling when you smell it out of the water.

 

[Paintbug]

to tell if its cured pull a piece out to the water, thats when it smells.

 

[dcombs44]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8989684#post8989684 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paintbug
to tell if its cured pull a piece out to the water, thats when it smells.

Very true. That's what I always do at the LFS when picking out rock. The pull it out and smell it test. :bum: