Rock curing

[girodave]

I am curing 250 pounds of rock in two 55gal garbage cans and have them connected with bulkheads to recirculate the water. I have an AquaC EV400 skimmer on it and a Rio2100 in each can for circulation.

I am having quite a lot of die off (black stinky film). What should I do to the black stuff? Scrub it off? Leave it? What can I do to minimize the die off?

Should I take out the rock every couple of days and re-arange it to change water flow over more areas. I did notice the die off is always on one side of the rock.

Lastley, it's really cold in my garage, should I leave the lids on or off. It helps to keep the temp up with the lids on.

Thanks for the Help,
Dave

 

[ChrisRD]

Dave,

You didn't mention if you had a heater in the containers or not. What's the water temp in the curing containers?

 

[brokekyle]

1st think ya do is let me come over and cherry pic your rocks
next thing.. do some water changes to minimize die off.. keep in touch.. I'd like to see your tank

 

[SPC]

I am having quite a lot of die off (black stinky film). What should I do to the black stuff? Scrub it off? Leave it? What can I do to minimize the die off?

-Anything that you find that is black stinky film (for that matter any color that stinks :wink: ) you need to scrub off. It is most likely dead sponge.
Steve

 

[aquarist=broke]

I am curing 250 pounds of rock in two 55gal garbage cans and have them connected with bulkheads to recirculate the water. I have an AquaC EV400 skimmer on it and a Rio2100 in each can for circulation.

Sounds good.

I am having quite a lot of die off (black stinky film).

Die off stinks, but it's better off in those garbage cans than in your tank.

Should I take out the rock every couple of days and re-arange it to change water flow over more areas. I did notice the die off is always on one side of the rock.

I'm betting that would really help. The curing process takes time, but the rock will be awesome when it is ready.

Lastley, it's really cold in my garage, should I leave the lids on or off. It helps to keep the temp up with the lids on.

I'd probably use a heater to keep the water warm because those curing rocks need a open top with good surface (gas) exchange.

Your rocks will be ready when they don't smell anymore.
In my opinion....

 

[girodave]

I am running two Ebo Jagar 250watt heaters, one in each can. The temp is now at 75degs and seems to be fine right now.

I thought I would add some more smaller powerheads to help water flow over the rocks on the bottom.

 

[Palmetto]

Yeah, the more circulation, the better.

Put a big powerhead in there, like a pump that is going to really circulate it. I have been improving my curing lately by boosting the circulation.

You will always have the stanky black stuff, and yes, I do rub it off the rocks and turn them over frequently to keep it from funking in one spot.

I have also started using 100- Gallon Rubbermaid Stock Tanks, they have a drain plug to let that nasty stuff spew out.

 

[Anonymous]

Idiot question:
Why do live rocks need to be cured? What happens if a fresh piece of uncured rock is introduced to an established tank?

 

[ErikS]

Idiot question:

The only idiot question is the one not asked :wink:

If you add it to an established tank you will have a "cycle" as the material dies & decomposes in the tank. The size & duration of the cycle will depend on the amount of die off & the amount of rock you add to the tank. You can use this cycle to your advantage, take LR from the store to a new tank & you can really speed up the cycling process.

 

[Anonymous]

But why so much die off? Just shock from being in the new environment?

 

[ErikS]

The amount of die off depends on transport time & method. Usually LR is transported wrapped in newpaper or plastic bags & as the rock dries things begin to die. You can minimize the die off by transporting it underwater, but for anything but small amounts it's just not practical (weight).

 

[starr]

CAN YOU CURE ROCK WITHOUT A SKIMMER? I DO NOT HAVE ONE

STARR

 

[danmhippo]

RIO 2100 seems to be on the low side for a 55Gal trash can. How is the powerhead positioned? The best way, IMHO is to have the powerhead pointed straight down the side of the trash can, and let the current swell up from the other side to ensure complete circulation through out the holding tank.

I would not worry too much about the die-off now. I would just change water when you monitored ammonia level going off the chart. Wait until you see the ammonia and nitrite level is stabilizing, remove all the rocks and scrape off the dead tissues, and put them back in to the holding tank with new water for another 2 weeks.

Starr, skimmer is optional at this stage, just monitor the ammonia and nitrite level and make water changes if necessary. However, if you have a new skimmer, it's a good idea to let it start running now as most skimmer requires a couple of days to "break-in". You will want to have a fully functional skimmer when the rocks are fully cured and ready to be placed into the main tank.