Help - Curing of LR

[cheong]

Hi Experts,

Pse help

This is what I have done, I bought some uncured LRs from LFS, decided to cure it first B4 putting it into my tank, this is what i have done

Day 1 - mixed saltwater and LRs into a 2ft tank and nothing else no sand, no filter, no air pump, no skimmer and no light

Day 2 - remove some worms from the tank

Day 3 - stinky smell, decided to add in a internal filter (formerly for my fresh water tank) remove a layer of oil as well

Day 4 - observe black patches on the LRs (hope it is not dead yet) NH3 - High, NO2 - Zero

What should I do now ? add sand, add power head, add skimmer ? throw away the rocks or what ? Mom started to complain about the smell -sigh

[jc85]

Btw, I'm not an expert.

Are you trying to setup a new tank? Any snad bed? If so, I'll suggest u cycle ur LR in the new tank.

Based on ur test result, you are getting an ammonia spike now. Part of the cycle. Too much ammonia might crash ur system though.

[cheong]

I already have a tank, just wanted to add in more LRs but seeing black patches in the LRs

[jc85]

There seems to be too much "die off" on the rocks. Maybe u should add in a skimmer to help remove the ammonia.

[cheong]

Can those cheapo skimmer help in this case ? Can the LRs still be cured ? Can skimmer remove NH3 ? Is filtering required ?

[NormanH]

Cheapo skimmer is still better than no skimmer.

Yes, the LR can still be cured, just that the smell may stay for sometime.

Skimmer will not remove NH3, The baterias inside LR will.

Filter is not required, but may be a good idea to leave it there as to create some water movement.

p.s. i am not a expert as well

[jc85]

The reason for suggesting skimmer is because there seems to be too much dieoff, imo. The skimmer will helps to remove dissove organic waste.

[xiggie]

change water frequently during curing ... and a pump to produce current is a must ....

scrub off any dying or decaying matter and cycle the rock again in new saltwater

[Hon]

Day 1 - mixed saltwater and LRs into a 2ft tank and nothing else no sand, no filter, no air pump, no skimmer and no light

Day 2 - remove some worms from the tank

Day 3 - stinky smell, decided to add in a internal filter (formerly for my fresh water tank) remove a layer of oil as well

Day 4 - observe black patches on the LRs (hope it is not dead yet) NH3 - High, NO2 - Zero

cheong,

From day 1 to day 3, before you add-in an internal filter, was there any water circulation in your 2ft tank?

[cheong]

From day 1 to day 3, before you add-in an internal filter, was there any water circulation in your 2ft tank?

No water circulation from day 1 to day 3

anyway just change the 50% water last night

[Hon]

No water circulation from day 1 to day 3

anyway just change the 50% water last night

That's where the problem. You are suffocating the life form in the LR without providing them oxygen. And this explain why your rock is turning black and rotting now ... They are dead rock now.

[Razo]

Hi Experts,

Pse help

This is what I have done, I bought some uncured LRs from LFS, decided to cure it first B4 putting it into my tank, this is what i have done

Day 1 - mixed saltwater and LRs into a 2ft tank and nothing else no sand, no filter, no air pump, no skimmer and no light

Day 2 - remove some worms from the tank

Day 3 - stinky smell, decided to add in a internal filter (formerly for my fresh water tank) remove a layer of oil as well

Day 4 - observe black patches on the LRs (hope it is not dead yet) NH3 - High, NO2 - Zero

What should I do now ? add sand, add power head, add skimmer ? throw away the rocks or what ? Mom started to complain about the smell -sigh

give good water circulation

[Daddy]

Wa. You use charcoal is it?

[cheong]

so what should I do now ? throw the rock away ?

[Hon]

Clean up the dead spot, which turn black now. Keep changing water and continue to cycle until the bad smell goes off. Remember to supply water movement during cycling.

[cheong]

Clean up the black spot ? how by using a toothbrush and scrap it away ?

[KCK]

Sorry to use your thread......but also on LR:

Bought supposedly cured LR, put in styrofoam box with sea water for 2 days with power head, transfer to two feet tank.......but there are patches of white film forming on the LR, when I use power head to blow over it, the white film came off, like tissue paper flying all over my tank....what are these? Now i have put the skimmer on, with a power head, with hang on filter.....

Ammonia very high, off the colour chart....

Is it normal to have the white thingy???

[jc85]

Sorry to use your thread......but also on LR:

Bought supposedly cured LR, put in styrofoam box with sea water for 2 days with power head, transfer to two feet tank.......but there are patches of white film forming on the LR, when I use power head to blow over it, the white film came off, like tissue paper flying all over my tank....what are these? Now i have put the skimmer on, with a power head, with hang on filter.....

Ammonia very high, off the colour chart....

Is it normal to have the white thingy???

Yes. I had those when my tank is cycling. It means that the portion of the rocks has dieoff.

[KCK]

Need to do water change during cycling or just leave it?

[cheong]

Just did a complete water change, add a power head and cheapo skimmer, will see how the LRs goes,

How long should I leave it there ? by measuring NH3 and NO2

or by smelling it ?

thanks for all the help, its a good lesson learn