Smelly Vanuatu Rock

[pspiegel]

Hello,

I just purchased a new 14 gallon tank to start a mini reef in. I have two other 40 other saltwater reefs and thought it would be nice to get something to work on in a smaller scale. I purchased a Nano-Cube tank with the filtration all built in and 12 pounds (two pieces) of Vanuatu Live rock with live sand.

My question is, it has been a couple of days and the live rock still smells a lot.. I don't remember my other Fiji live rock smelling this bad and I was wondering if there is something to do to help minimize the odor. I have a pack of activated charcoal that came with the tank in there so that should help a little but it really hasn't. Is this something that I just have to wait out until the tank cycles, or is there another fix? Maybe adding another pack of charcoal?

I normally wouldn't care, but I put this tank on my desk.. so it gets a bit distracting..

Thanks so much for your help in advance!

 

[melosu58]

Usually a bad smell means your rock has not cured. I would go ahead and cure it while you cycle your tank. On the website articles it will tell you the best way to do that (without live fish).

 

[Devilishturtles]

I agree. It's just not cured. I know it sucks, but it'll go away soon.

 

[pspiegel]

will leaving it in the tank with the sand and tank running cure it successfully? I must have gotten cured rock on my other two tanks...

Also, I forget from the last time, should I be running the lights the same way I will when the fish/reef are there now, or does it matter?

 

[melosu58]

NO if you dont have any livestock , you dont have to run as long. It will probably help cut down on algea in your tank.