What is the difference between cured live rock and uncured live rock?
Uncured live rock is the result of shipping. After the rock is harvested from the ocean it gets boxed up and eventually sent to our store. That process causes some of the organisms on the rock to die off. Once the live rock gets put back into saltwater, the dead organisms decay and pollute the water. The dying organisms produce waste the same way fish do. The bacteria that grow on the rock to feed off the fish waste also grow to feed off the waste of the dying organisms. This process is referred to as cycling. Cycling a tank can take a few weeks because there are different kinds of bacteria that have to grow to break down the different forms of waste. After the cycle has finished and the rock is no longer producing waste and is in a state of breaking down waste it is considered cured.
Related Questions
- One concern is if these methods will work, what problems might they cause if the live rock is already "CURED". I guess it could kill coraline algaes or anything else which is beneficial for the rock?
- I have access to more cured live rock. Having 300+ lbs already, would I benefit from adding more (in refugium within the sump lets say)?
- Niman Ranch offers both cured and uncured meat products. Whats the difference?
