high salinity dip for new LR?

gaubow · 08-22-2004, 06:30 PM

I have spent some time going through threads trying to find a few answers or procedures for this but I was unable to locate.

Tuesday, I have 90 pounds of "cured" live rock coming from Premium Aquatics. My tank has been up and running for about two weeks and the cycle has started with a piece of shrimp that has been in there for three days.

When I add the live rock, I obviously want to elimate the possibility of the evil mantis or other "mean" creatures. So I have read that the high salinity dip of the live rock is what I need to do.

How high should I make the salinity?

How long should I dip them for?

What about temperature?

I am going to make the dip water up tomorrow so that I will be ready when the rock comes on Tuesday so I won't waste any time.

Any other advice would be appreciated. I can't wait to see my skimmer start pulling stuff out of the water like the one in the picture at the top of the page!

mkpaulson · 08-22-2004, 07:24 PM

http://www.waltsmith.com/media/pdfs/ROCK_curing.PDF At the bottom of the page there's some information on the procedure.

Curtswearing · 08-22-2004, 10:44 PM

I'm a mantis keeper and I wouldn't bother.

Most of the species that come as hitchhikers often live in intertidal areas. It is not uncommon at all for the tides to leave them in high salinity tidepools until the tide returns.

In other words, they can handle swings in salinity MUCH better than other crusty's.

Brucey · 08-23-2004, 10:11 AM

Hi Gaubow. How big is your sump. When i get new LR i always put it in the sump for a week or two. You'll soon notice (hear or see) a mantis or other undesirables and you can then deal with them in a bucket rather than releasing them into your main system
Brucey

gaubow · 08-23-2004, 01:42 PM

It is not big enough to hold 90 lbs. of LR. I am thinking that I'll just try the dip and see if I get anything. Guess I won't expect much to happen, but maybe.

Craig Manoukian · 08-24-2004, 12:37 AM

What about a fresh water dip before curing the rock in a separate container? This will definitely get hitchikers out and curing the rock separately will keep the sediment out of the sand bed.

Great job on the shrimp cycle starter!

gaubow · 08-24-2004, 06:48 AM

Thanks Craig.

that it actually my plan right now. Last night I filled a 5 gallon bucket with about 4 gallons of water so that it is ready when the rock comes. I figure with the cooler temperature of the water, along with zero salinity, I have a chance of really waking those buggers up in a harsh way.

Not to mention that I'll dunk that rock up and down a few real good times to shake off any sediment. Can't wait for the rock to get here. I have been running a tank for about two weeks with nothing but sand and lights... and one old shrimp!

Craig Manoukian · 08-24-2004, 08:29 AM

You are on your way dude!

After the hyposalinty or freshwater dip, if there is any smell there has been some die off in transit. Recure the rock in a separate bucket(s) and you're good to go.

Dingo · 08-24-2004, 10:59 AM

How about going to a hardware store and buying a rubbermaid tub for $5 to cure the rock in? Leave it in there for a few weeks with a powerhead and heater and you will avoid adding all kinds of crud to your tank. IMO, I wouldn't FW dip live rock if it were me. You'll end up killing all sorts of stuff in the name of maybe getting something that possibly might be in the rock. Not to mention aggravating the curing process by causing even more die-off than you would have had already.

gaubow · 08-24-2004, 11:09 AM

Does it matter if it is suppossed to be fully cured? I know that there will be some die off of course, but am I crazy to put it directly into a new tank?

Craig Manoukian · 08-24-2004, 11:27 AM

Your choice. But there will always be die off unless the rock was shipped in adequately aerated saltwater. Not!

Virtually all shipped rock must be recured, that's just the way it is. Any die off will accumulate in your sand bed and accelerate the sink effect. This is where that aweful patience part comes in, eh?

Witfull · 08-24-2004, 11:34 AM

i would also cure it outside of the tank, one thing i have learned in my years of crab eradication is that if you tank the rock and let it sit out of water for 10-15 minutes the lil buggers usually come out looking to find some water. many times you will find the evil ones on the bottom of the shipping box, trying to find a puddle to soak in.

"cured" live rock is an advertising term in many cases. when it is shipped to you it will need recuring. the die off from shipping can be dramatic, depending on heat and time in transit.

gaubow · 08-24-2004, 11:44 AM

The sink effect?

Craig Manoukian · 08-24-2004, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gaubow
The sink effect?

The accumulation of detritous, organic materials, nitrates, and phosphates in the sand bed. Over time this can cause serious problems.

Mebigloser · 08-24-2004, 09:45 PM

Gotta love the bare bottom......

08-22-2004, 06:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
gaubow Star Polyps Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: chicagoland Posts: 161 View Gallery Karma Komment	high salinity dip for new LR? I have spent some time going through threads trying to find a few answers or procedures for this but I was unable to locate. Tuesday, I have 90 pounds of "cured" live rock coming from Premium Aquatics. My tank has been up and running for about two weeks and the cycle has started with a piece of shrimp that has been in there for three days. When I add the live rock, I obviously want to elimate the possibility of the evil mantis or other "mean" creatures. So I have read that the high salinity dip of the live rock is what I need to do. How high should I make the salinity? How long should I dip them for? What about temperature? I am going to make the dip water up tomorrow so that I will be ready when the rock comes on Tuesday so I won't waste any time. Any other advice would be appreciated. I can't wait to see my skimmer start pulling stuff out of the water like the one in the picture at the top of the page!

08-22-2004, 07:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
mkpaulson Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: port republic,va Posts: 750 View Gallery Karma Komment	http://www.waltsmith.com/media/pdfs/ROCK_curing.PDF At the bottom of the page there's some information on the procedure. __________________ Mark

08-22-2004, 10:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	I'm a mantis keeper and I wouldn't bother. Most of the species that come as hitchhikers often live in intertidal areas. It is not uncommon at all for the tides to leave them in high salinity tidepools until the tide returns. In other words, they can handle swings in salinity MUCH better than other crusty's. __________________ In memory of Fluffy, please pause before hitting enter---being nice is free. Click for ReefKeeping FAQ'S Click for Product Reviews Click for Photo ID Gallery http://curtcpapfs.com/downloads/1Curt.jpg

08-23-2004, 10:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
Brucey Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Reading, England Posts: 1,292 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hi Gaubow. How big is your sump. When i get new LR i always put it in the sump for a week or two. You'll soon notice (hear or see) a mantis or other undesirables and you can then deal with them in a bucket rather than releasing them into your main system Brucey __________________ 160UK Gallon. (192US Gallon). 400Lbs LR. Aquamedic Turboflotor 5000 Shorty skimmer. Arcadia 3Series pendant (3x250W 14,000'K MH & 2x58W 60" actinic) (DIY cooling fan). Tunze 7095 Multicontroller & 2xTunze 6100 Streams. Redsea 100 Aquazone Plus ozonizer and redox computer. Aquamedic Ocean Runner 6500 return. TMC Vectron 30W UV sterilizer. Aquamedic Aquaniveau auto top up system through Deltec 500 kalk stirrer. PurityOnTap RO/DI. Deltec FR509 (ROWAPhos). Aquamedic PH computer controlling KNOP HD Calcium Reactor. Setup Nov 2002 See my tank here http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...&threadid=4486

08-24-2004, 12:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 18,343 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	What about a fresh water dip before curing the rock in a separate container? This will definitely get hitchikers out and curing the rock separately will keep the sediment out of the sand bed. Great job on the shrimp cycle starter! __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

08-23-2004, 01:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
gaubow Star Polyps Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: chicagoland Posts: 161 View Gallery Karma Komment	It is not big enough to hold 90 lbs. of LR. I am thinking that I'll just try the dip and see if I get anything. Guess I won't expect much to happen, but maybe.

08-24-2004, 06:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
gaubow Star Polyps Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: chicagoland Posts: 161 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks Craig. that it actually my plan right now. Last night I filled a 5 gallon bucket with about 4 gallons of water so that it is ready when the rock comes. I figure with the cooler temperature of the water, along with zero salinity, I have a chance of really waking those buggers up in a harsh way. Not to mention that I'll dunk that rock up and down a few real good times to shake off any sediment. Can't wait for the rock to get here. I have been running a tank for about two weeks with nothing but sand and lights... and one old shrimp!

08-24-2004, 08:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 18,343 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	You are on your way dude! After the hyposalinty or freshwater dip, if there is any smell there has been some die off in transit. Recure the rock in a separate bucket(s) and you're good to go. __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

08-24-2004, 10:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
Dingo Serpent Star Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 206 View Gallery Karma Komment	How about going to a hardware store and buying a rubbermaid tub for $5 to cure the rock in? Leave it in there for a few weeks with a powerhead and heater and you will avoid adding all kinds of crud to your tank. IMO, I wouldn't FW dip live rock if it were me. You'll end up killing all sorts of stuff in the name of maybe getting something that possibly might be in the rock. Not to mention aggravating the curing process by causing even more die-off than you would have had already. __________________ Snail Whisperer Member RSMC&RP

08-24-2004, 11:09 AM	#10 (permalink)
gaubow Star Polyps Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: chicagoland Posts: 161 View Gallery Karma Komment	Does it matter if it is suppossed to be fully cured? I know that there will be some die off of course, but am I crazy to put it directly into a new tank?

08-24-2004, 11:27 AM	#11 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 18,343 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Your choice. But there will always be die off unless the rock was shipped in adequately aerated saltwater. Not! Virtually all shipped rock must be recured, that's just the way it is. Any die off will accumulate in your sand bed and accelerate the sink effect. This is where that aweful patience part comes in, eh? __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

08-24-2004, 11:44 AM	#13 (permalink)
gaubow Star Polyps Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: chicagoland Posts: 161 View Gallery Karma Komment	The sink effect?

08-24-2004, 09:45 PM	#15 (permalink)
Mebigloser Sea Pen Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 345 View Gallery Karma Komment	Gotta love the bare bottom......

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