question

[dustin_P74]

how do i know when my live rock has completely cured

 

[Piggy]

It doesn't stick. It has a fresh rock smell. That's the only way I can explain it.

 

[dustin_P74]

but that wont really help me because from everyone on here that helped me in selecting this live rock said it never smelled during the curing process

 

[Piggy]

Are you cycling your tank with it?

 

[dustin_P74]

yes i am

 

[Piggy]

How long? Have you been testing so you'll know when your cycle is over?

 

[dustin_P74]

the tank just got hooked up today

 

[Altohombre]

you tell if your tank is cycling by doing water tests. If your ammonia and nitrite is 0 and your nitrate is 20 or less then your tank is cycled (which means your rock and sand too)

 

[Bifferwine]

Yep, you'll have to test your water to determine if your cycle is over. It can take several weeks to cycle a tank, so you don't need to run out and buy test kits tonight or anything.

 

[dustin_P74]

i already have the test kits. i bought them when i bought the tank just so i wouldnt forget about them and i would have them around.

 

[yote]

Just test for ammonia and nitrites every 2 or 3 days for now.If you go a week and dont see any spike in those 2,then drop in a raw table shrimp and let it rot.Keep testing.When you see ammonia start showing up with your kit,pull the rotten shrimp out and let the tank finish its cycle.

The way to tell cured rock from un-cured,is the nose test.Just take the rock and smell it.If it smells like dead fish,then its un-cured.Cured rock will smell fresh.

 

[fatman]

In the articles section of the forum pages there are several write ups on cycling a tank. Reading them will give you a much better idea of whats is going on in cycling a tank, and will give you the information to make decisions based on your wants and needs rather than just doing what others suggest. If you do not understand what is in the appropriate articles answers are easy to get on the general forum section. There are articles on curing live rock, cycling tanks and so vey much more, and all the articles are prescreened by the chief moderator. There is also some very good information on cycling a tank while curing live rock available from this site: Live Rock - Tampa Bay Saltwater Aquacultured Live Rock