Curing Pukani Dry Rock. Any suggestions?

Dennis_ · 11/02/2014, 03:50 AM

I've Seen Many videos on how to do this. I'm wondering what's the best Method? I'm in no rush I Bought 60lbs knowing that it would be dirty.
Also Do you think blasting it with an air compressor would be a good idea?
Thanks for any feedback !

cidbozek · 11/02/2014, 05:37 AM

Im doing this right now with 15 lbs Brs dry Fiji. It was kind of dirty when I received it, lots of dead stuff. I rinsed it good in RO water, then let it dry for couple days. Got out the air hose, and blasted it in every nook well scrubbing with a stiff tooth brush. Rinsed in RO again, then left it soaking in clean RO for a couple days with two powerheads. Rinsed in RO again, then put in 15g brute with SW from a water change and two good sized pieces of LR that have been in my tank for three years. Started in the SW on 10/15, did some WC of 50% every few days, Along with a couple 100% WC to date. All my levels are zero in just over two weeks, I'm going to let it go for another few weeks as I'm not quite ready for it yet. Oh yeah also had a heater going at 79. Smelled so bad by day 3, I had to add carbon in a bag! I went the air route rather than power washing because I didn't want to add any of my tap water chemicals and metals into this nice rock. Phosphates were high at one point, so I figured it was leeching it out. Good luck it's a blast !

JammyBirch · 11/02/2014, 05:54 AM

Are you seeding it from an established tank? Are wanting to add it to established tank or is this a new tank project?

My case was a new tank, I cleaned the rock in RODI add edit to the new tank splashed it with SW for a few weeks, then added two cured rocks from my LFS, it's been a couple months, everything is covered in coralline algae... It looks awesome...

gone fishin · 11/02/2014, 08:44 AM

If you want to cure it all you really need is a tub, power head, and heater. It does not hurt to rinse it off first.

I have just put it in a tub for awhile doing the occasional WC then when ready dropped it in the DT, this was after my tank was up and running. When I was starting up a new tank I have just rinsed it off and dropped in my DT and started cycling. Good luck.

Dennis_ · 11/02/2014, 10:46 AM

This is a new tank. Just for cleaning
I think I am going to use a 30 gallon tank . heater, power head, roughly 20 gallons of salt water. purchased from my Lfs @$1.25 gallon.
Before putting it in the water I will blast it with an air hose.
Also I will use a filter/carbon and keep it covered in the dark to prevent algae growth. With 100% water changes every 2 weeks for two months. Totally not concerned with time or cost. I feel it will do better in the long run. Who knows trace elements could affect Corals many years later.
This is just to clean My 60 lbs of Pukani Dry rock.
65 gallon tank is currently empty..

11/02/2014, 03:50 AM	#1
Dennis_ Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Pawtucket, RI Posts: 8	Curing Pukani Dry Rock. Any suggestions? I've Seen Many videos on how to do this. I'm wondering what's the best Method? I'm in no rush I Bought 60lbs knowing that it would be dirty. Also Do you think blasting it with an air compressor would be a good idea? Thanks for any feedback !

11/02/2014, 05:37 AM	#2
cidbozek Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 274	Im doing this right now with 15 lbs Brs dry Fiji. It was kind of dirty when I received it, lots of dead stuff. I rinsed it good in RO water, then let it dry for couple days. Got out the air hose, and blasted it in every nook well scrubbing with a stiff tooth brush. Rinsed in RO again, then left it soaking in clean RO for a couple days with two powerheads. Rinsed in RO again, then put in 15g brute with SW from a water change and two good sized pieces of LR that have been in my tank for three years. Started in the SW on 10/15, did some WC of 50% every few days, Along with a couple 100% WC to date. All my levels are zero in just over two weeks, I'm going to let it go for another few weeks as I'm not quite ready for it yet. Oh yeah also had a heater going at 79. Smelled so bad by day 3, I had to add carbon in a bag! I went the air route rather than power washing because I didn't want to add any of my tap water chemicals and metals into this nice rock. Phosphates were high at one point, so I figured it was leeching it out. Good luck it's a blast ! __________________ Cid Current Tank Info: 90 Mixed reef,Radion xp30w pro,RO Diablo,MP40,MP10s,Sump with fuge,40 breeder frag tank

11/02/2014, 05:54 AM	#3
JammyBirch Aquaria Engineering Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,182	Are you seeding it from an established tank? Are wanting to add it to established tank or is this a new tank project? My case was a new tank, I cleaned the rock in RODI add edit to the new tank splashed it with SW for a few weeks, then added two cured rocks from my LFS, it's been a couple months, everything is covered in coralline algae... It looks awesome... __________________ 25g cube, split 10g sump with refugium, Jebao RW4, reefbreeder value Livestock adds: Osc Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Cherub Angel, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Serpent Brittle Star Current Tank Info: 25 gallon cube

11/02/2014, 08:44 AM	#4
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	If you want to cure it all you really need is a tub, power head, and heater. It does not hurt to rinse it off first. I have just put it in a tub for awhile doing the occasional WC then when ready dropped it in the DT, this was after my tank was up and running. When I was starting up a new tank I have just rinsed it off and dropped in my DT and started cycling. Good luck. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

11/02/2014, 10:46 AM	#5
Dennis_ Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Pawtucket, RI Posts: 8	This is a new tank. Just for cleaning I think I am going to use a 30 gallon tank . heater, power head, roughly 20 gallons of salt water. purchased from my Lfs @$1.25 gallon. Before putting it in the water I will blast it with an air hose. Also I will use a filter/carbon and keep it covered in the dark to prevent algae growth. With 100% water changes every 2 weeks for two months. Totally not concerned with time or cost. I feel it will do better in the long run. Who knows trace elements could affect Corals many years later. This is just to clean My 60 lbs of Pukani Dry rock. 65 gallon tank is currently empty..