Water for Curing Rock
 

Hi - I am in the process of setting up my tank and have a question regarding the use of water for curing live rock. Does it really matter if it is RO/DI water in the curing process or can you use normal old tap water (I know it has to be a salt mix). I certainly would not go forward using tap water, but that question is rather prescient at the moment. Thanks

Obviously RO/DI water is the preferred choice... but I know of lots of people using tap water with very successful reefs. I use it myself. I think if you use tap water, use a good conditioner like PRIME .. I notice good results as well as others.

If you can get RO/DI .. then I would go that route. If tap water is all that's available... then tap water it is. That's just my opinion though...

What I've done & also done for several friends with uncured live rock is to save my change water & use that to cure the LR instead of mixing & tossing out new water. If you were closer or if you come into the Burnaby area in the next week or so, I can do a big water change & save you the water. Or you can also get it from someone closer.

However, I've known lots of people who cured it with just conditioned tapwater too.

Anthony

No worries on the RO/DI - that system is gtg - was just curious about if it mattered or not seeing as you are basically getting rid of dead stuff....but since it is a slooowww drip, was wondering if tap water was a viable short cut. Err Vancouver tap water, since it appears Calgarians are more comfortable with their tap water than us treehuggers in Vancouver

More issues with curing rock
 

I have gone ahead and am creating a reservoir of RO/DI water in a large plastic container in which I will drop the live rock for curing when I get it.

Currently (no pun intended) when I stick my hand in the water, I get zapped with a small jolt of electricity. How is that possible? The DI portion of my plumbing (hey all the plumbing was actually fun) drops through the ceiling from my kitchen after a T connection (other end goes to drinking water). I read about grounding etc.. but I was more concerned with that in regards to my tank rather than the precursor curing stage - should I be grounding the curing "vat"?

This reservoir is at regular salinity right? Not just RO/DI freshwater?

A small zap everytime?? I would shut off everything in your "vat" and stick you hand in to see if it still happens - then turn on each piece of equipment (heater, powerhead, light) one at a time and see when you get a zap - I have one light that can give me good zap when there is to much salt creep on it adn of course this causes a trail to the water and bammm. Kinda a good lesson that makes sure you keeps things clean == and replace/repair any faulty equipment.

Cheers
Rich