Live Rock

[Mr_Cool]

Scored some great live rock today. I was just stopping in at Alamo Aquatics and there was a couple who just broke down their tank because of an upcoming move. They had some fish they were selling back, and I asked them about them. They told me they'd sell the fish to me if I wanted.

Anyway, to make a long story short, they also had about 65 lbs. of really nice liverock (looks like Figi or Kalini, but I'm not sure). They were selling it back to Alamo for $1.00 per pound. They said they paid $3.00 per pound about 2 years ago, and they would give it to me for the $1 per pound. (Personally, I find it hard to believe that they got it from Alamo for only $3.00 per pound. They usually charge $6-$7, uncured even.) Anyway, after talking to them a bit, I got it for $50!

I needed to do a water change today, so I used the old water, and I have the rock sitting in it "curing." Do I really need to do this? I figured as long as I have the old water, I should put the rock in there until I can get an answer from someone here. I don't think it'll hurt the live rock, will it? My nitrates were at about 20 when I did the water change. Is that a problem for the liverock? I just didn't want to add it right into my tank in case it case it might cause a nitrate spike.

So, for how long should I let it "cure?" It's nice and purple, and has some kind of anemone or something growing on it. (I'll get a pic of it when I get a chance.) Is a week long enough or what?

[NaCl_H2O]

Tough call! If it was in an established tank, no reason to "Cure" it. However, whenever you move rock around, surfaces that were exposed to light are now covered, and vice versa. Meaning, you will get some die-off -> ammonia -> etc.

I would suggest rinsing it well in your water change water and placing it in your tank. But, be ready to watch nitrogen levels and do 25% water changes as needed for 4-6 weeks. It should settle in quickly.

One note: In case it was out of their tank, say in a cold garage, for a week or more ... then you may need to "Cure" it awhile in a tub, same temp as tank, with a skimmer if possible.

[GaryP]

How long was it out of water? I think it should be OK to go ahead and put it in the tank. Make sure to add some circulation to the container you have the LR in now.

[villjr]

Can't beat 65 lbs. for $50. Yeah the $3 a pound is hard to believe. The cheapest I've ever seen it there is $6 a pound.

[Mr_Cool]

I have a power head in there with it, so there's some circulation. I don't know how long it was out of water, though. They had it in a styrofoam shipping box, and there was just enough water in it to cover the bottom of the box. I don't think it was sitting in the garage or anything.

[NaCl_H2O]

Pull out a piece or two of LR, stick your nose in it and take a BIG whiff ... if you don't faint, it's ready for your tank ;)

[Mr_Cool]

Well, it doesn't smell at all. Sounds like I can add it to the tank at this point. But, it's a little late to start with that now. Will it hurt to stay in the rubbermaid tub for a day or two? We're getting new furniture tomorrow, so the old sofa is in the room with the tank. Not too easy to get to right now. The sofa is being picked up on Tuesday by the Salvation Army. Is that too long to stay in the tub?

[NaCl_H2O]

Should be OK for a day or two. Keep some circulation going, and maybe a small heater if you run your house cold (Below 76 or so). Watch the salinity due to evaporation, and maybe even do some water exchange on it. If the surface starts getting "frothy", you may need to add a skimmer to pull out the crud, or do a 50% water change on the rock.

[Mr_Cool]

Thanks for the help. I'll probably get to it on Tuesday evening. I'll keep a good eye on the tub, though.

[satx-94integraLS]

if it doesnt stink, it should be fine in a few days. get a bunch of flow on the rock to remove any dieoff that may have occured.

i find the 3/# hard to believe also... never seen rock there that cheap