[milmokes]

I will be purchasing some live rock in the next week. The live rock is cured, but I live about 2 hrs away. Can I add it right to my tank? Should I put it in a rubbermaid container with a powerhead and let it sit for a week? With or w/o light?

[tyoung]

If you tank has not cycled yet, it should be safe to add it to your system. If you tank is up and running, you may consider the rubbermaid method with good circulation and a heater. Live rock that is cured will still have some die off due to transportation and contact with the air. Anytime you add liverock to your system, it will put it into a mini-cycle because the die off will raise your amonia. If you are still cycling your tank, I would add it after maybe a supersatuation of saltwater to get rid of some of the pests that may hitch hike thier way into your reef.

[milmokes]

is a week long enough? with or w/o light?

[tyoung]

You cure the liverock until all of the die off has ceased, this could be as long as 4 weeks, depending on how "cured" your rock was. If you are going to use your tank to cure it, I would leave the lights off. There will be a lot of nutrients during this time and the lights could cause an alge bloom. If you are useing your main tank to cure the liverock, make sure you use the skimmer and heavy circulation. you also want to turn the rock and knock off any decay(white stuff) with a plastic clean brush of some sort. Vaccume as much of the die off out of the tank as you can get as well. Keep tabs on your Ammonia and nitrite levels as well, this will let you know when you are done. Keep plenty of clean saltwater handy for water changes as well, one source stated that you should do a 40% change weekly until the rock is fully cured. Best of luck and go slow!