cured/uncured rock - Aquarium Advice

MisticX · 07-13-2008, 03:06 PM

what is the difference between cured and uncured living rock ?

i mean i have no ideea what each of them is ... that is why i ask

:splat

ccCapt · 07-13-2008, 03:50 PM

Cured rock has been sitting in a tank long enough for any dead matter to be gone from the rock. Uncured is fresh out of the box and has dead and dieing matter/organics.

cmor1701d · 07-13-2008, 06:15 PM

Fully cured LR that is added to a tank also will generally not cause a spike in ammonia and if enough of it is used can, and I hate to even mention this, give you an instant cycle.

Uncured LR is probably the best method to cycle a new tank.

Jakers88 · 07-13-2008, 06:33 PM

I have a question to add to this, when establishing a new tank, can you still put both in the tank? I know it would be better to put cured live rock in the tank so it cycles better, but since there are no livestock in the tank yet couldn't you still put un-cured live rock in it?

MisticX · 07-13-2008, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakers88

I have a question to add to this, when establishing a new tank, can you still put both in the tank? I know it would be better to put cured live rock in the tank so it cycles better, but since there are no livestock in the tank yet couldn't you still put un-cured live rock in it?

your previous post answered that question.
yes you can cycle a new tank with uncured rock.

i still do not understand the principle though
why is it called LIVE rock ?

Kurt_Nelson · 07-13-2008, 06:47 PM

Because it's "live" with bacteria (normally in the case of cured), or will be "live" with bacteria soon (after the cycle.)

Jakers88 · 07-13-2008, 06:47 PM

There are microscopic life that live inside and on the rock (there may also be small marine life like a snail or shrimp). Live rock also acts as a biological filter.

cmor1701d · 07-13-2008, 06:49 PM

It is LIVE because it houses the beneficial bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate. Deep within the rock are anoxic areas that house the bacteria that eat nitrates and turn them back inot nitrogen, which is where the cycle starts and ends.

Uncured LR from the sea may also contain a myriad of creatures that will sprout over time. Amphipods, copepods,isopods, bristle worms, feather dusters, anemones, etc. Some may also have corals, a/o sponges on them. You may also end up with a pistol or mantis shrimp, variuos types of crabs, etc.

MisticX · 07-13-2008, 07:48 PM

so basically this is somewhat a sponge in my HOB filter in the freshwater tank ...??

this means that i will not need a filter in the saltwater tank ?

Kurt_Nelson · 07-14-2008, 10:30 AM

Correct... assuming you have an adequate (1-2 lbs/gallon of tank) amount of live rock.

Folks will often use a filter without the sponges though to run chemical media like carbon or other synthetic resins.

07-13-2008, 03:06 PM	#1
MisticX Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Montreal QC CA Posts: 215	cured/uncured rock what is the difference between cured and uncured living rock ? i mean i have no ideea what each of them is ... that is why i ask :splat

07-13-2008, 03:50 PM	#2
ccCapt SW 10 & Over Community Mentor Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 1,468 Images: 2	Cured rock has been sitting in a tank long enough for any dead matter to be gone from the rock. Uncured is fresh out of the box and has dead and dieing matter/organics. __________________ 125g reef See My Tank Info Check out The build project

07-13-2008, 06:15 PM	#3
cmor1701d Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Belle Mead, NJ Posts: 3,739 Images: 43	Fully cured LR that is added to a tank also will generally not cause a spike in ammonia and if enough of it is used can, and I hate to even mention this, give you an instant cycle. Uncured LR is probably the best method to cycle a new tank. __________________ Click here to Vote for Aquarium Advice on AquaRank . Vote EVERY day! Click Here for a list of commonly used acronyms and abbreviations. ____ Cmor

07-13-2008, 06:49 PM	#8
cmor1701d Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Belle Mead, NJ Posts: 3,739 Images: 43	It is LIVE because it houses the beneficial bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate. Deep within the rock are anoxic areas that house the bacteria that eat nitrates and turn them back inot nitrogen, which is where the cycle starts and ends. Uncured LR from the sea may also contain a myriad of creatures that will sprout over time. Amphipods, copepods,isopods, bristle worms, feather dusters, anemones, etc. Some may also have corals, a/o sponges on them. You may also end up with a pistol or mantis shrimp, variuos types of crabs, etc. __________________ Click here to Vote for Aquarium Advice on AquaRank . Vote EVERY day! Click Here for a list of commonly used acronyms and abbreviations. ____ Cmor

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07-13-2008, 06:33 PM	#4
Jakers88 Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 25	I have a question to add to this, when establishing a new tank, can you still put both in the tank? I know it would be better to put cured live rock in the tank so it cycles better, but since there are no livestock in the tank yet couldn't you still put un-cured live rock in it?

07-13-2008, 06:47 PM	#6
Kurt_Nelson Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: WA Posts: 2,171 Images: 28	Because it's "live" with bacteria (normally in the case of cured), or will be "live" with bacteria soon (after the cycle.)

07-13-2008, 07:48 PM	#9
MisticX Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Montreal QC CA Posts: 215	so basically this is somewhat a sponge in my HOB filter in the freshwater tank ...?? this means that i will not need a filter in the saltwater tank ?

07-14-2008, 10:30 AM	#10
Kurt_Nelson Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: WA Posts: 2,171 Images: 28	Correct... assuming you have an adequate (1-2 lbs/gallon of tank) amount of live rock. Folks will often use a filter without the sponges though to run chemical media like carbon or other synthetic resins.