rock curing

fiorano · #1 11-03-2009, 07:08 PM

no im curing the rock in a garbage before i add it to my already running reef. so i guess i should just do crazy water changes over the next week and get it down to zero nitrates. or should i do smaller ones over the course of liek 2 weeks?

sphelps · #2 11-03-2009, 07:44 PM

If the rock is in a separate container change 100% of the water. Then wait and see if the nitrates return, if they do repeat until they don't.

fiorano · #3 11-04-2009, 03:34 AM

sounds liek a plan haha thanks

RuGlu6 · #4 11-04-2009, 04:49 AM

Doing 100% water changes will reduce your bacteria population in water column therefor prolonging curing period.
the best way is to let it do its thing i.e. Wait till bacteria will eat all the No2 and No3 naturally ecosystems take time to develop even in the bucket.
Assuming all other conditions are right, you will be ok in a few month.
Unless you want to risk your reef i would wait for longer. it took me 6 month to cure my live rock.

lastlight · #5 11-04-2009, 05:03 AM

A very tiny % of the bacteria is in the water column so I don't think water changes affect populations realistically speaking...

fiorano · #6 11-04-2009, 05:29 PM

really? ok well i guess ill give it another few weeks and see if any changes occur. thanks for the advice i thought it would take less time but ive learned only bad things happen fast in this hobby haha

sphelps · #7 11-04-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

A very tiny % of the bacteria is in the water column so I don't think water changes affect populations realistically speaking...

Yeap that's right. The theory that large water changes remove enough bacteria to prolong the cycle is a common myth and completely false.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-04/newbie/index.php

Myka · #8 11-05-2009, 01:36 AM

The idea that the rock will reduce the nitrate on its own is correct. Anaerobic bacteria will convert the nitrate to nitrogen gas and that will bubble out (not usually seen). If those bacteria aren't there or the rock is not suitable for the anaerobic bacteria this won't happen. It could take several months for the anaerobic bacteria to colonize in population significantly enough to consume the nitrate.

Canadian · #9 11-05-2009, 01:52 AM

Dose the bejeezus out of the container with vodka and MB7 and make sure there is high flow in the curing container.

I haven't actually done this but it wouldn't be very costly and should help drive out phosphates bound up in the LR and speed things along.