Preparing Live Rock

• 1). Rinse each piece of the live rock thoroughly in warm (but not hot or boiling) saltwater.
  
  
• 2). Place the rinsed live rock into a new 30-gallon plastic container and immerse it in freshly mixed saltwater. The water will need to be changed twice a week during the curing process.
  
  
• 3). Use a water heater to ensure that the water remains at a temperature of 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
  
  
• 4). Use a powerhead or an airstone to create constant water movement in the container. The movement mimics the current of an ocean and will allow water to pass through crevices in the live rock.
  
  
• 5). Store the plastic container in a dimly lit room when not managing the rock or water. The water is likely to have an unpleasant odor while the live rock is curing.
  
  
• 6). Remove film and dead material from the rock using a nylon brush.
  
  
• 7). Check ammonia and nitrite levels after one week. When the levels begin to stabilize and both the ammonia and nitrite levels come back as 0--usually after two to three weeks--the live rock is cured and aquarium ready.
  
  
• 8). Scrape off any remaining dead material from the live rock and add the live rock to your aquarium.
  
  
• 9
  Live rock will support aquatic plants and fish when properly cured.coral image by Christian Schoettler from Fotolia.com
  
  Keep the live rock in proper lighting and water conditions to allow it to mature. Coralline algae will begin to grow on the live rock, giving it color. Supplements such as calcium and iodine can be used to keep it healthy.