Tonga branch

[cc_bruno]

I just picked up some sweet looking pieces from Denman Pet Gallery / Boutique, (read that as 155 lbs of sweet looking pieces ). I've got it curing in a large rubbermaid container, and am wondering, is there ANYTHING that I can do about the SMELL ? This is the first time my wife has seriously questioned having marine in the house, so, if there is a way to get rid of the smell, (or at least reduce it), I'm all ears. I don't have a skimmer running on it yet, but, hope to have one by late tonight, or early tomorrow, (need to build a quick and dirty one, unless someone in the PoCo area has one that I can borrow for a while ). Thanks again.

Regards,
Robert

[Aquattro]

Not much you can do, but it will only last 10 days or so. A good skimmer will help clear it sooner, and a carbon filled cap on the skimmer might be a good idea...

[cc_bruno]

Thanks Brad. I think I'll send my wife on a nice vacation for 10 days ... should make it easier to cure rocks later . Time to work on that skimmer.

Regards,
Robert

[DEAD_BY_DAWN]

Robert i already told you i would look after your wife ......

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

John - Nasty.

[bluetang]

Your a funny guy John..
Anywho... lots of flow and water changes will do the trick.

[Rikko]

Suffer, baby, suffer!

I rigged up a super ghetto skimmer when I was curing my rock and it pulled massive amounts of crap out.. All it was was a length of 2" PVC full of bio balls (don't even need them, really) and an airstone in the bottom. I drilled a hole around the water line for water to exchange a bit more (I think it was around 1" under the surface). The top of the pipe was perhaps 6" out of the water... I tilted it at an angle and all the nasty foam collected on the Rubbermaid tub lid. Better than nothing? And honestly, the only reason I did that was because I needed something to weigh down the airstone and when I saw what was happening and made those few mods.

Ever read Reef Invertebrates? Calfo really pushes for mass water movement and aeration - I found that my cure was really quite gentle when I did that. Protein skimming was secondary for him. My stuff was ready to go in 9 days (well, 10/11 pieces were done). I did 2 water changes when the NH4 creeped towards 1.0ppm and otherwise just added baking soda from time to time in case the pH started dropping.

I've got about 14lbs curing now using the same method (sans ghetto skimmer)... Thanks for taking all the choice pieces! Geez!

As for the smell - I kept the lid on as securely as possible. I had one tub curing right beside my bed and didn't smell that one at all. As soon as the lid opened, however.. WOOF.
If you really want to try and disguise that smell, how about leaving an open cup or bowl of bleach in the same room as the rock?

[cc_bruno]

Guys, thanks for the info. Stefan, I'll try the ghetto skimmer as well, but definitely need to increase the water movement and aeration. As for the choice pieces, well, what can I say . I would have bought more, but, I think 155 lbs went a long way towards blowing my budget... now, I have the smell to deal with, (may try the bowl of bleach... after all, the laundry room is part of the same room, so, why not ?).

John, when did the store come out with a "lay away" plan? . Remember, she comes with two kids and two large dogs . Time to get a pump, (or a whole lot more power heads ).

Robert