How do I prepare my marco rocks ?

[bmwmedic]

I placed an order from MarcoRocks to get the base rock to start with. While I'm waiting for it to arrive I've been gathering all the spupplies I'm going to need.

What pieces of equipment am I going to need to "cure" these rocks and where is the best place?

ATM, I have my 125 gallon tank set up, without anything in it because I was considering just curing that large an amount of rocks inside it.

I purchased :
1 - 125 gallon tank W/ Tanky & Canopy
2- 200w heaters
2 - Koralia 2 Aquarium Circulaton Pump
1 - RO/DI Unit frmo Melevsreef.com
50# Maro Fiji Rock,
25# Marco Fiji Rock
10# Tonga Shelf Rock
1 - Rapids Pro PS4 Wet/Dry Filter with AFK 700 gph

Plus a bunch of the smaller, necessary items, to go onlg with it.

Bonnie

 

[Wes]

i'd definitely use some sort of phosphate removal on the marcorocks...They come in loaded w/ PO4 It will save you headaches down the road if you pull out the phosphates from the beginning.

 

[nikkibabee]

I had mine sitting in a tub of salt ro water for over a month and a half or 2 months. There were 2 pumps in there for water circulation. I had them in a closet.

 

[nikkibabee]

O...btw, I also did a couple water changes on them in the interim when the water got dirty. You will need a few pieces of live rock too once you put it in the tank.

 

[cali_reef]

You need a skimmer, a good one, and a lot of water changes...

 

[rookie07]

I would think your tank needs more flow also
good luck

 

[grundig5]

Agreed with need for a skimmer or massive water changes. I have 25 pounds in a tub at the 1.5 month mark and still off the chart nitrite. I did a 100% water change the other day, and its already yellow again.

 

[cali_reef]

Right, more flow too, a lot more flow to blast out all the crap that are tapped in the rocks.

FWIW, the money and time you'll spend on cleaning, curing, and waiting is not worth the few dollars you are saving from buying live rock.

 

[jejton]

Is it possible to use a phosphate removal media in a canister filter rather than buying a reactor for just the curing ?

 

[Wes]

Is it possible to use a phosphate removal media in a canister filter rather than buying a reactor for just the curing ?

i believe the Warner Marine Phosar was designed to be used in canister filters...Thats what they claim anyway.

 

[Deanos]

FWIW, the money and time you'll spend on cleaning, curing, and waiting is not worth the few dollars you are saving from buying live rock.

 

[jejton]

That really depends.
Some people have more money than time....some people have more time than money.

 

[inkblue]

am the latter more time tHan money... so I stick to Marco, no matteR wat anyOne says.

by the waY, I alSo use a mac :lol2: oppoSed to 95% of the people here

 

[gregory]

I used Marcorocks to set up my 120. Just put in your tank for a week and then do a 50% W/C. After another week add some live rock from an established tank if you can. As Wes said, make sure you use a phosban reactor. I used one and I still had major hair algea. Finally, it is all gone and the rock looks great. Buy the reactor, you should still use it even after the curing is done.

 

[bmwmedic]

How often do I change the water the rocks are sitting in ? And how much of the water ?

 

[gregory]

I only changed mine once and it was about 50%, then I added the live rock a week later. About 10 pounds, compared to about 100 pounds of marco rock. The tank is a little over 2 months old and is looking great. Thanks Wes for all of the help and the great advice.

 

[TimberTDI]

:headache::sigh:It's not about the time, it's about using clean pest free rock.:duh:

 

[Deanos]

it's about using clean pest free rock.:duh:

Ask Jhale if using dry cooked rock guarantees pest free rock

 

[cali_reef]

:headache::sigh:It's not about the time, it's about using clean pest free rock.:duh:

But it is also pod free, warm free, good bacteria free.. People ends up seeding it with live rock and potentially introduce the same pest we try to avoid.

I did notice the Marco rocks I used had a spur of hair algae and bubble algae growth, other live rocks within the same tank did not have the same problem.

 

[fernandokng]

But it is also pod free, warm free, good bacteria free.. People ends up seeding it with live rock and potentially introduce the same pest we try to avoid.

I did notice the Marco rocks I used had a spur of hair algae and bubble algae growth, other live rocks within the same tank did not have the same problem.

Can you clarify a few things? I think I've been hearing different tips (unless I'm just hearing things)

1. Should you use other live rock to see the Marco Rocks during anytime of the cycling process? I heard yes, helps speed up the process. I heard no, as you don't want to introduce pests.

2. I heard that you shouldn't have your protein skimmer running during curing. Is this correct?

3. Do you recommend running carbon as well while curing the rocks?

Thanks.