How do you know when LiveRock is done "Cooking"?

[Midway]

I've had some rocks "cooking" for like 2 months now. How do I know these rocks are done cooking?

Thanks,

Manny

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

test the water for ammonia, nitrite, etc.

[Myka]

Rock is done cooking when phosphate and nitrate are both undetectable. this is a step further than cycling.

Rock is done cycling when ammonia (and nitrite if testing) is undetectable.

[evaneatspie555]

what is cooking rocks ?

[Myka]

Click the link in my signature for more info, but the jist of it is to put the live rock in a bin/tub with no light, just heater and powerhead for several weeks doing weekly 100% waterchanges (for fastest progress) until both phosphate and nitrate are undetectable. It is essentially taking "curing/cycling" one step further and flushing the nutrients out of the rock. It helps to prevent algae issues from the rock leeching nutrients.

[JohnnyReeftank]

Wish I would have done this! The live rock I bought has apparently been in a FOWLR tank since the late 70's and its probably the cause of my constantly evolving algae blooms. I've literally had almost every type of bad hitchiker in the books...but a few good ones too so its not all bad. Thanks for the link Myka....definately looking into cooking or Marco rocks for my next tank

[Myka]

Oh jeez...that sounds like some seriously nutrient laden rock!

[Bryan]

May also want to look up acid washing the rock as well, dissolves a thin outer layer off the rock further reducing any phosphates etc.