Rock curing question---------------------------->

[mr_X]

we purchased some uncured rock from a store, that had the typical "uncured smell" on the 9th of this month.
i put it in it's own tank, with decent circulation, heat, light, and even some macros just for the heck of it.
it's now 6 days later.....and the parameters all read zero, except about 5.0 ppm nitrates. could this rock be closed to finished curing already? could a softball sized glob of chaeto and bubble caulerpa be throwing the readings off so much, that levels seem this good?

i did one 40% water change after the first few days(there was what seemed like an oil slick on top of the water, and it smelled funky), and that was 2 days after the rock was introduced(4 days ago).

i will certainly leave it in this curing tank for atleast another 2 weeks, but these levels are really puzzling me. :?

 

[bleedingthought]

Pull the macros out. No need for them and maybe not enough light. If there's enough light to grow macros, you might get some algae growth on the rocks and I'm sure you wouldn't want that.

Make sure there's a powerhead flowing at the top of the water to keep the slime off the top of the water. I'm assuming you're not skimming the surface or anything.

Do the rocks still smell? If they still do, that's a dead give-away that they're still not fully cured. 2 weeks should do it, though. Keep watching your levels. You don't have to do a water change unless the levels are high.

 

[mr_X]

i put the macros in so in the event that some living things are still alive, maybe the macros will keep the levels somewhat lower, so that they will survive. it was a shot in the dark really...
i didn't think it would hurt anything. they are not floating around freely, just behind some egg crate.

no, no skimming what so ever. that's why the water change.
i am using one 400gph powerhead for circulation in about 25 gallons of water. the current looks strong throughout the rock. however, i'll aim it upwards. as for the light, i lit the tank for the macros, and for any living coralline, or whatever else i can salvage, since this rock will be for a brand new tank. there is just 40 watts of 10k, and another 30 or so of 6400k over the macros.

as for the smell....they don't smell like roses, but they are a heck of alot better than when i got them.

you still suggest to remove macros and shut out the lights?

 

[bleedingthought]

You can leave the macros in there. But you don't need them. Also, if the macros are sucking up any nutrients in there, it could be misleading you.

The smell being better is definitely a good thing. Keep checking the levels.

And coraline will survive with no lights for a while.