How do you know when LiveRock is done "Cooking"?
 

I've had some rocks "cooking" for like 2 months now. How do I know these rocks are done cooking?

Thanks,

Manny

test the water for ammonia, nitrite, etc.

Rock is done cooking when phosphate and nitrate are both undetectable. this is a step further than cycling.

Rock is done cycling when ammonia (and nitrite if testing) is undetectable.

what is cooking rocks ?

Click the link in my signature for more info, but the jist of it is to put the live rock in a bin/tub with no light, just heater and powerhead for several weeks doing weekly 100% waterchanges (for fastest progress) until both phosphate and nitrate are undetectable. It is essentially taking "curing/cycling" one step further and flushing the nutrients out of the rock. It helps to prevent algae issues from the rock leeching nutrients.

Wish I would have done this! The live rock I bought has apparently been in a FOWLR tank since the late 70's and its probably the cause of my constantly evolving algae blooms. I've literally had almost every type of bad hitchiker in the books...but a few good ones too so its not all bad. Thanks for the link Myka....definately looking into cooking or Marco rocks for my next tank

Oh jeez...that sounds like some seriously nutrient laden rock!

May also want to look up acid washing the rock as well, dissolves a thin outer layer off the rock further reducing any phosphates etc.