Coralline Algae on Live Rock

Tankerini · July 24th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by agsansoo

Sorry I took so long to answer !

"Cooking" live rock is a term often used in the reefkeeping hobby. It means simply to cure the rocks in a no light zone. Cooking and curing rock is very good. Most of the stuff you do not want dies, most of the stuff you want survives. The goal is, we are trying to change the natural filtration system from an algae dominate machine to a bacteria driven machine.

Think of your live rock as a sponge filter. Over time it gets clogged with all kinds of detritus and bad gunk. Cooking the rock will get all this out of your rock.

Thanks for the reply, nice bit of information there. Like the example of a sponge to live rock

would never of thought of it like that!

So would it be ok to cook/cure the live rock the same time I do my first cycle in the tank and not use any lighting? (or does it literally have to be pitch black?). Just thinking curing the rock in my tank will help kick start the ammonia. How long would you recommend the cooking process? Or do you just judge its done by the look of the rock?

agsansoo · July 24th, 2008

Yeah cure the live rock in the tank with the light off is ok too. Cooking is good for killing unwanted algae.

Tankerini · July 25th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by agsansoo

Yeah cure the live rock in the tank with the light off is ok too. Cooking is good for killing unwanted algae.

Agsansoo, you never mentioned when I can tell the cooking process is finished or an estimate on how long it would take. I will have approx 75lbs.

I will of course have the filter, skimmer, power heads all on as usual. Should I be doing the water changes during the the cooking process as well? (Im thinking yes, what percent?)

Also what about the temperature for this process?

Would it help to have some kind of clean up crew in there as well i.e some

algae and detritus eating snails? (Not sure how they are with out light.

Thanks!

.

Oil_Fan · July 25th, 2008

I can answer some of this.

No need to do the water changes while you're curing the LR. And you don't have to turn on the heater. No on the clean up crew until your tank is fully cycled.

As to how long it will take?? Varies...some people it takes around a month. Others a week or even less.

agsansoo · July 25th, 2008

Curing is different than cooking. Cooking is a way to clean your live rock. Cycling you tank with live rock is using the die-off from the rock to help the cycle (instead of using fish). This will take around 5-10 weeks. No water changes. This will prolong the cycle !

Tankerini · July 26th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by agsansoo

Curing is different than cooking. Cooking is a way to clean your live rock. Cycling you tank with live rock is using the die-off from the rock to help the cycle (instead of using fish). This will take around 5-10 weeks. No water changes. This will prolong the cycle !

Sorry to be a pain in the ass, but just to confirm

No light, no water changes for 5 -10weeks (get that)

Not sure whether I should or shouldnt have my skimmer, heater (what temp), filter, powerheads etc on, please advise.

agsansoo · July 27th, 2008

IMO, yes to all the above ! Temp at around 78-81 F (25-27 C). The cycle faster, up the temp a little to around 84 F (29 C). At the end of you cycle a large water change to get nitrates down.

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