Reefbones?

[Annie742]

I have my 90 gal set up but still haven't cycled it yet.
I can get somthing called Reefbones from a local store. On the internet it says it has to be cured. So could I just throw some of that in my tank, since there are no critters in there yet?
It is just dried base rock. There is nothing alive on it. Looks very good. I got some for my reef tank but then I read it had to be cured so it's just sitting here as by reef already cycled and has critter and coral and fish in it.

I don't really want to cure it cause I really dont' have the place to put it while curing.
I guess what I'm asking is, if I put it in the empty 90 gal would the curing cycle it?

[Barcochris]

Maybe I am wrong but if it is just dried base rock, Depending on how long it has been dry I don't think that there is any curing involved. Just rinse it and scrub it with a brush,than place it in your tank. If you want the cycle to start put a couple pieces of shrimp from the store in your tank for a couple of days and that will do it

[Annie742]

Thats what I thought, but on their website it says must be cured.

Yea I know the shrimp method and thats prob the route I'll take.
But if I had to cure the Reefbones just thought I would do it that way LOL.

Just been to lazy to go to the store

[Woodstock]

Yep, if your aqurium is free of living animals (snails, shrimp, fish, etc), then you can certainly cure the rock in it and subsequently cycle your tank at the same time

[Annie742]

Thats what I wanted to hear LOL.

Been reading up on it and I guess ya have to cure it cause of all the dead critters on it. Isn't live but hasn't been cleaned either. I did run it under water and rinsed it off.
Had a lot of crud on it.

Thanks!!!

[Woodstock]

In the future if you get any more live rock (all live rock should be cured unless you get it has already been cured at your LFS), you can simply cure it in a tuperware container with a power head and heater for 3-4 weeks Also, if you choose to 'rinse' it, use saltwater (not fw) to reduce killing desirable critters.

[Annie742]

Thanks for the info. Never cured live rock before. Always got it cured from the LFS.

Here is the info I got on the reefbones....


Important Instructions: Reef Bones are authentic uncured natural ocean rocks. They should be treated before putting into an established aquarium by standard curing methods such as soaking in a bucket of freshwater or seawater for 1-3 weeks changing water frequently. For faster introduction, you may soak in a mild bleach solution (5 tablespoons per gallon) for at least 1 hour, and then expose to the sun for about 3 days or until you cannot smell bleach anymore. For new aquariums set ups, Reef Bones can be put right into the aquarium, and cured during normal cycling process (1-3 weeks

So I'm gonna get some more while the tank is empty

[Witfull]

they want you to cure it cause there is dead stuff dried on and in it. once water is added,,,,decomp begins.

[Woodstock]

Wow! If you soak it in FW or bleach you will end up with base rock (dead), not live rock. The idea is to keep as many critters alive as possible (aka: LIVE rock). A good scrubbing with a stiff brush in sw is all that I would do to live rock prior to curing it...

[fidojoe]

Woodstock, if I'm not mistaken the stuff if already dry, meaning that there is nothing on there to kill, just stuff that will decompose.

[mps9506]

Yeah, the stuff is basically fancy base rock. It comes in great shapes and sizes. I've started many customer tanks with it and it works great. For starting hte tanks I always soak it in s-ro for about a week with a filter running. it releases a lot of dust and particles. Sometimes it comes in with obvios dead stuff on it but actually still moist, other times it comes in bone dry and is pretty clean other than some dust.

[Woodstock]

Oh okay.

[Annie742]

Yep it's already dead. You get it dry. The stuff I got just had some dirt and dusty stuff on it.
Guess I should have said that in the first place huh

Pretty cool looking stuff though. Cheaper than the wet base rock from the same place.

[daFrimpster]

CHeck out
http://www.hirocks.com
cheap base rock!