Live rock schedule

[jke1313]

I'm curing dry pukani I got from brs in brute heated salt with small pump. The goal is to decay all dead matter I couldn't get with pliers. I don't want to do acid or bleach route, for me it won't work. I'm assuming it's a minimum of 4 weeks to get nitrate to stop rising and ammonia to be 0. I couldn't find when or if I do water changes, how often to test and how strong should flow be and do I add bottled Bacteria. Also is my cure process correct in achieving this goal?

In hobby less than a year and this is my first cure of rock. Upgrading and trying to get this tank on good start.

Thanks

 

[sureal00]

You also have to worry about phosphates in the rock.That can cause alot of algae to grow after you put in tank.Use a phosphate test kit also.Try to get phosphates down to 0 by testing every 4 days or every week.I would do 100% water changes with ro water and test to make sure phosphates are 0.After that then you can cure rock with saltwater and bacteria and check nitrates and ammonia .Also heater and powerhead should be used.

 

[gemini9]

I'm doing the same thing. Adding a few more pieces of dead rock to my tank. I've got it in a bucket with a pump and heater. Been there for 3 weeks so far. I'm gonna do a large water change on my bucket and see where I'm at on nitrates.

 

[jke1313]

You also have to worry about phosphates in the rock.That can cause alot of algae to grow after you put in tank.Use a phosphate test kit also.Try to get phosphates down to 0 by testing every 4 days or every week.I would do 100% water changes with ro water and test to make sure phosphates are 0.After that then you can cure rock with saltwater and bacteria and check nitrates and ammonia .Also heater and powerhead should be used.

I started with heated salt water, should I wait a week test the water, then do a 100 water change to just to Rodi water?

 

[jke1313]

The only thing I didn't mention is I right away threw in a big bag of carbon.

 

[sureal00]

If you want to continue with saltwater its no problem with that.Most ppl use regular water because sometimes curing can take months when trying to get phosphates out.Carbon filter floss and a skimmer can help with the clean of getting the rock ready for your tank.Just make sure your checking phosphates and the number is getting down to zero.

 

[jke1313]

If you want to continue with saltwater its no problem with that.Most ppl use regular water because sometimes curing can take months when trying to get phosphates out.Carbon filter floss and a skimmer can help with the clean of getting the rock ready for your tank.Just make sure your checking phosphates and the number is getting down to zero.

Thanks for info and taking the time to respond. This sheds light what I need to do.

Thank you