rock curing

[fiorano]

sounds liek a plan haha thanks

[RuGlu6]

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]

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

[fiorano]

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]

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]

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.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Myka

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.

It is correct in theory but denitrification requires a carbon source, whether it simply occurs naturally in our aquariums is a very debatable topic.

[fiorano]

i think im gonna give it another month or so and see if there is any changes if it works out then awesome if not ... o well it takes longer haha thanks tons for all the help guys

[Canadian]

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.