Cured Live Rock Being Shipped....Now UnCured?

[MatthewLaw]

Greetings All- I am having some live rock shipped from Cali to Pennsylvania. The rock was fully cured when it left Cali. It has been shipped to preserve moisture, etc and will take about 5 days to get here (b/c of the weekend).

When it arrives at my doorstep does that mean that it is essentailly uncured rock? Do you think I need to perform the whole curing procedure? Finally, do you think one false perc is 'strong enough' to survive if I put this rock directly into the aquarium?

Thanks. -Matt

 

[Lotus]

Yes, the rock will become uncured during its journey. You may only see a slight spike in ammonia and nitrites, or it could be a big spike. However, you will need to recure it. It might be only a week or two before it's fully cured again.

I wouldn't risk putting a fish in with the rock.

I'd suggest the following:
1. Put the fish in the tank with a piece of rock (or several) from the established tank.
2. Put the new rock in a bucket/Rubbermaid with a heater/powerhead until it's cured.
3. Once the new rock is cured, put it in the tank.

 

[zoalover34]

Yea that would be best, if you have like a 10g layin around or something take the water out of your tank to fill it up with and throw some rock in there for a week or 2 like lorna suggested.. Did you get it from a dealer?

 

[MatthewLaw]

I actually got the rock from a guy in California that was tearing down his tank.