Curing Pukani rock from BRS

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has experience with Pukani dry rock from BRS and adding it to a already established tank? I've read that the rock is taken out of the ocean, is fully dried, but may contain dead remnants causing nitrates and possibly ammonia spikes.

I am planning on upgrading to a large fish tank in a couple of weeks. I will first take apart my tank now, set up the new tank, transfer the sand, and the live rock and let it settle for a week or two before moving the live stock. Would it be safe to just rinse the new Pukani rock and add it to the tank while it is settling? Or would it be a better idea to keep the Pukani in a separate vat to cure and seed for a week or two and then add it to the new tank.

If I were to take the second approach, would it better if I transferred all the rocks first and then the live stock? The only live stock I have is an angler, a cleaner shrimp, various zoas, softies, and LPS and my CUC.

Thank you in advance

- Henry

 

How much new & how much LR are you transferring?

Either way your best bet is to always cure seperately if a significant amount.

I have added more rubble & sand to my sump in small amounts & never had any ill effects but I would weigh on the side of caution.

have you gotten the pukani yet? your in for a treat it is NICE imo.

 

Must be cured! Pukani is great rock, but is dirtier than any rock I've used. It will cause a small cycle.

 

Thanks for the replies khowst and FaceOfDeceit.

I currently have about 16lbs of live rock in my current tank. I ordered 18lbs of the Pukani and it will be going into a 30 gallon shallow. I doubt I will be using all the rocks as I've read that they are pretty large pieces.

I havent gotten the rock yet, they're arriving tomorrow. I plan on hosing it off with tap water and then take 5 gallons of saltwater from my current tank and just let it cure in a tupperware.

Should I kick start the curing with a little ammonia, or is the dirtiness from the rock sufficient? I should be doing the same procedure as cycling a tank correct? (Leaving the tub run with heater and pump, and avoiding water changes)

Also I've read that they may leach phosphates. Was that true from your experiences?

 

The Pukani rock was live at one time, and contains a lot of organic debris that doesn't rinse off. This will cause a spike in ammonia as it decomposes and probably trigger a cycle. The issue is how well your tank can deal with the spike, indicating how bad, if any, the cycle will be. Only you can find out, and only by adding and testing.

Cycles are not bad, just normal p[arts of life. You just need to manage them with water changes and so on.

Jeff