cured or uncured?

[DANE MFG]

Setting up a new 20gal tank true Berlin system, is it best to use cured or uncured LR to cycle the tank? It will have no life other than the LR untill the cycle is complete. Thanks in advance and I must say this is a very informative board. John

 

[Anonymous]

Dave, It comes down to a few considerations.
Budget and Time.

Uncured is cheaper, but takes longer to cycle.
Cured costs a little more, but cycles fast.

I bought my rock for my tank from Paragon. I wanted to hand pick the pieces, and since they were on sale, I could afford to get Cured. ($5.50/lb.) I have about 21 lbs in my 15.
From thier tank to mine was only about 2 hours. So Not much died off.

I have all kinds of fanworms, macro, pods, some small snails, and as a bonus, I got Sr.Mantis, BMF. (he is exiled to his own tank now.)

HTH
B

 

[esmithiii]

You may get more life on the uncured, but you must be willing to wait.

Ernie

 

[Dewman]

John, I have a 29 and I went with uncured, just to save money.
MAN, am I glad I did, I have got so many cool little animals I can't even identify. I also have a couple of nice sponges. everyone said they would die, but they made it through.
I may not know much, but I know that because I waited and cured the rock myself, in my tank, I know SO MUCH more about the stuff than if I had purchased cured.

Besides, I have to admit, it's more fun watching your tank develop and grow. They change so rapidly from day to day with the uncured stuff. I was fortunate enough to have a LFS who orders and cures their own rock. I just came in on the day their order of fresh rock arrived and had first pick.

 

[Anemone]

Ditto on the advice - if you're cycling a new tank get uncured. You get more life on the rock, and just as important, you get a "hard" cycle. Uncured rock has lots of dead/dying organisms, which give you a high ammonia level, which leads to a high nitrite level. Both of which means your tank will be able to take a higher bioload more quickly after the cycle is complete (since you have more bacteria established to combat those large initial ammonia and nitrite levels) - and since you will probably overstock your tank, or stock it too quickly (we all do

), this greater "carrying" capacity can be a big help.

Kevin

 

[StirCrazy]

ok I also am going to be buying uncured LR to cycle my tank in a month or so. but I have a question, if you get a harder cycle how much of the hitch hickers will be killed off by the higher amonia and nitrite levels?

Steve