curingrock.jpg
You need the following equipment:
- suitable size container (plastic garbage cans work well)
- protein skimmer (it will get a major workout)
- powerheads
- Heater
- good quality salt mix
- a small scrub brush
- ammonia, nitrite, nitrate test kits

The basic method is as follows:
- scrub off any sponges and soft corals that have turned black
- water should have pH at 8.2-8.4 and S.G. at 1.023-1.025
- no lights for 7-10 days to avoid an algae bloom (high nutrients)
- keep water heated (74-80F°)
- do not do any water changes until Ammonia and Nitrites tests both read zero. Then do a 50-75% water change, vacuuming up as much loose sediment as possible.
- provide plenty of water movement within the container (powerheads)
- provide plenty of oxygenation in the water (done by skimmer which will need frequent cleaning)

The curing process will take 2-4 weeks depending on the amount of die-off on your rock and the effectiveness of your protein skimmer.

A simple but very effective treatment for eliminating unwanted critters in your Live Rock is to dip each piece in a bucket of very saline water (SG 1.030) for a few moments. Mantis shrimp will quickly
evacuate the rock. Bristle worms will also crawl out and can be pulled from their holes with a pair of tweezers.