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09/16/2004, 01:05 PM | #1 |
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Cooking Live Rock - Exact Process?
Hi,
I've been reading alot about this process of "cooking" live rock. What does this process actually entail? Are we actually heating up the live rock in an oven? How would one go about cooking the live rock? What is the benefits and should it be done to existing mature rock or newly cured/uncured rock. I apologize for the new question but even after using the search option I was unable to figure out exactly what this is. Thanks! Michael |
09/16/2004, 01:16 PM | #2 |
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I have no first hand knowledge, but have read severl references to the technique.
The idea is to clean your older liverock by placing in new clean ASW. Every 7 days or so you give the rock a good shake and take it out and place it in a new container of ASW. You repeat this for 6 to 8 weeks. The idea is you give the bateria in the rock nothing to feed upon except the "stuff" in the rock (organics) and over time clean it out. It was either boomer or bomber ( get them mixed up) who I saw make the first reference to "cooking" the rock and you can search on their name for more info. You can also try seant who I believe used this technique successfully. I am thinking of trying it myself, using a few rocks at a time to "revamp" my older rock. |
09/16/2004, 01:23 PM | #3 |
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Pi,
Thank You! So should this process be performed on nearly acquired live rock? Isn't this process a mirror of the same curing process we use for newly acquired live rock? I'm starting a new tank and was wondering if I should perform this process on new rock. Also during this process should I be skimming heavily? Michael |
09/16/2004, 01:28 PM | #4 |
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09/16/2004, 01:31 PM | #5 |
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I do not see any benefit to using this technique on new rock. The idea is for cleaning older rock that may have become saturated. Think of it as recharging the rock.
Though it has some similarities to curing new rock I would not say the two are exact. Curing has more to do with amonia/nitrate/nitrite cycle as well as dead dying life that came in with the rock. |
09/16/2004, 01:36 PM | #6 |
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Thanks guys, always something new to learn. *Smile.
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09/16/2004, 01:44 PM | #7 |
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I'd agree with Pi too - but figured an informative link is good too.
I've only used this on `old' rock personally - which makes it seem `new' yet without the coralline. I'm not sure if you need to make new rock more `new' seeming
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09/16/2004, 02:33 PM | #8 |
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I prefer using a pre-heated oven at 375 degrees.
Lightly salt and pepper the rock and place it on a cookie sheet in the oven. Bake for 1 hour. For extra flavor a lemon-saltwater glaze can be used to baste it every 15 minutes. Tastes just like mom used to make! |
09/16/2004, 02:47 PM | #9 |
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...mmmm I can smell it now. Just like being a kid again!
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09/17/2004, 08:15 AM | #10 |
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I cooked my rock from October of last year until Febuary in prepreation for a move and new tank setup.
Works very well, I got rid of a ton of crud out of my rock, the detrius buildup in my new barebottom setup is very low. I personally will do the same thing to any new rock I buy, even if it means I don't get the associated life on my rock. Mike |
09/17/2004, 07:29 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
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My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment). |
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09/17/2004, 11:16 PM | #12 |
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I bet crack-heads would love this thread!
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09/19/2004, 12:39 AM | #13 |
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SeanT
Thanks for the post, I guess I will be doing this process for all the new rock I will be getting as even new rock has all kinds of crap in it. Thanks! |
09/21/2004, 06:50 PM | #14 |
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I am a chef & I think your got rocks in your head. The only good thing out of it all would be a slight calcium rise, not worth the effort. A letter from Australia.
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09/21/2004, 07:22 PM | #15 |
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What? I think you need to read the entire thread!
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09/21/2004, 07:29 PM | #16 | |
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Quote:
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My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment). |
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09/25/2004, 01:27 PM | #17 |
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I dunno what he is on about... I know it works so I guess he can say what he likes.
I used to do the same basic thing using sunlight and small scissors to trim the massive algae growths until I read Bomer say this was better somewhere. He was right, this way is just as effective if not a bit more so. A little slower likely, takes more water, but sure is less work overall, and the end result is a cleaner rock.
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09/25/2004, 03:38 PM | #18 |
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Bene I think you misread.
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09/25/2004, 05:19 PM | #19 |
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Me misread? Wouldn't be the first time. I did actually read the whole thread though. Would you mind explaining? Thanks
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09/25/2004, 08:57 PM | #20 |
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From your post it seem like you are agreeing with gregb that the cooking style I posted wouldn't work/is not needed versus just drying them out in the sun.
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09/25/2004, 09:59 PM | #21 |
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Sorry for not being clearer. What I meant was that I thought his comment was way off base. I know the "cooking" works as I have done it myself.
I went on to mention a similar process I have used. Which is cause massive dense algae growth via sunlight while the bacteria does its action sheltered from the light under the algae then trim the algae and repeat until the rock is clean and the algae stops growing. When I do that to rocks they are in tanks not allowed to dry out in the sun. I think Bombers way is more complete though as its end result leaves all the algae dead not just really starved and partially dead.
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09/29/2004, 01:51 PM | #22 |
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I don't understand why you wouldn't benifit from "cooking" newly purchased live rock.
Aren't all rocks a few million years old and getting the crude out and opening up the pores (so to speak) would really help. And isn't the same as quarantining an unknown new substance that could harm your system? |
09/29/2004, 05:46 PM | #23 |
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I would do it to most of the "new" LR for the following reason:
Just cuz I can. Seriously, I would do it because of all the die-off in the packaging, handling, shipping plus to get out whatever was already in there. When I eventually upgrade to a larger tank, I plan on setting that tank up first. Transporting almost all of my current LR into it (no corals or fish). Order live rock from several different areas (Fiji, Marshall, Tonga etc.) Take a piece or two from each to place in the tank. I doubt it will cause a cycle. I will do that to hopefully trasport some varieties of life. I will cure/cook the rest. Place it in the tank when thru. Remember, just because you are paranoid doesn't mean someone isn't out to get you.
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10/08/2004, 11:41 AM | #24 |
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One question about "cooking" live rock. I would need to buy a couple of the rubbermaid stock tubs to rotate the rock through. Would a piece of plywood over the top be sufficient to block light? would that hinder or not allow for gas exchange? I can put a powerhead at the surface and run the airline from the venturi outside of the stock tub. Also, Having to make that much ASW would cost me a fortune in DI resin. The water leaving my RO membrane is between 10-12 ppm TDS. Would using this water to mix the ASW lengthen the cooking process?
Thanks for any help. CAReefer
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10/08/2004, 12:18 PM | #25 |
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Plywood would work fine.
That is what I use. The fit, due to the warping of plywood, isn't perfectly flat so plenty of air would get in there. Just make sure your powerhead agitates the surface of the water. The powerhead is for aeration and not flow. No need for airliline tubing imo. The water from ypur RO should be fine. Just be vigilant on your water changes and swishing the first couple of weeks and then about 3 times every two weeks after that. Swish, swish, swish.
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