Treating live rock in a reef tank involves several stages, primarily focusing on curing or cycling to prepare it for a healthy aquarium ecosystem. Here's a breakdown of the process:
Curing Live Rock
Curing live rock is the process of removing dead and decaying organic matter from the rock before introducing it to your main reef tank. This prevents ammonia spikes and maintains water quality.
Why Cure Live Rock?
- Reduce Ammonia and Nitrite Spikes: Live rock often contains dead organisms that release ammonia and nitrite as they decompose. Curing removes this organic material.
- Stabilize Water Parameters: Curing helps stabilize the pH, alkalinity, and other water parameters.
- Promote a Healthy Ecosystem: By removing unwanted organisms, you create a more stable environment for beneficial bacteria and other reef inhabitants.
The Curing Process:
- Container Setup: Place the live rock in a separate, clean container (e.g., a plastic tub or spare aquarium).
- Water Source: Use saltwater prepared with a quality reef salt mix. Aim for a salinity level appropriate for your future reef tank (typically around 1.025 SG).
- Circulation and Aeration: Provide strong water circulation with a powerhead or pump and good aeration with an air pump and airstone. This helps oxygenate the water and facilitates decomposition.
- No Light: Keep the curing container in a dark place. Light isn't necessary and can promote algae growth.
- Water Changes: Perform regular water changes (25-50%) every few days to remove accumulating ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.
- Testing: Test the water daily for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. The curing process is complete when ammonia and nitrite levels consistently read zero, and nitrate levels are stable.
- Duration: The curing process can take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the initial condition of the live rock.
Considerations During Curing:
- Smell: Expect a strong, unpleasant odor during the initial stages of curing. This is normal and indicates the decomposition of organic matter.
- Temperature: Maintain a stable temperature within the range suitable for reef tanks (76-82°F or 24-28°C).
- Rock Placement: Arrange the rocks loosely to ensure good water flow around all surfaces.
- Skimming: Using a protein skimmer in the curing container can help remove organic waste and speed up the process.
Acclimating Cured Live Rock
Once the live rock is cured, it's ready to be introduced to your main reef tank.
- Temperature Acclimation: Float the live rock in a bag in your reef tank for about 30 minutes to equalize the temperature.
- Placement: Arrange the live rock in your desired aquascape. Ensure good water flow around and through the rock structure.
- Monitoring: Closely monitor your water parameters after adding the live rock. Expect a slight increase in ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels, but these should quickly dissipate as your biological filter becomes established.
Maintaining Live Rock in the Reef Tank
Once established in your reef tank, live rock requires minimal direct maintenance. The main thing is to maintain stable water parameters and appropriate flow. Avoid physically scrubbing or aggressively cleaning the live rock as this can kill the beneficial bacteria and other organisms.
