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cleaning old dry rock

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Travis G, Mar 9, 2013.

  1. Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    So last summer I put some rock out by my garage to dry out. It had a lot of aptasia on it and I forgot about it. So my question is, who knows whats on it. Dirt, bird poo, dog pee, lol who knows. Can I soak it in bleach water for an hr or so and then rinse really really really good and then let it air dry? Its some awesome really cool pieces and id love to use them.
     
  2. fishyness

    fishyness Inactive User

    596
    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0
    you could do that if you're sure there hasn't been any type of pesticides or chemicals used near it. I'd wait til it's a little warmer and then dry it in the sun.
     
  3. ShaneP Well Known Hawkfish

    473
    Williamsburg, IA
    Ratings:
    +126 / 0 / -0

    I'd cook it. Not literally, but let bacteria do their thing. Are you familiar with cooking rock? I ask not to belittle you, but not everyone is. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif


    Some people have literally cooked their rocks to rid it of things and it has almost killed them.


    Basically put it in a tank or tub with a live seeded rock, saltwater, heater, and pump. Leave the lights out for a month, maybe more, until you no longer get piles of detritus in the bottom of the tank/tub. Do weekly maintenance on it like you would your regular tank. This is important because the detritus in the bottom will basically be the old nutrients from the previous tank, or dog pee, bird poop, mouse nasties, whatever.


    Then your rock is cured and ready to use. There won't be any surprises, algae blooms, etc. Happy times. It's the safest way to do it, and worth the wait.
     
  4. Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0

    Its dried out in the sun multiple times. Lol but bleaching will remove anything that could be on the rock?
     
  5. Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0

    My only problem is that I dont have the extra rock for the cooking process. And im affraid that a chemical might have somehow gotten onto it... Maybe I should keep looking for someone who has dream rock or live rock....
     
  6. fishyness

    fishyness Inactive User

    596
    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0
    If there's any possibility that it came in contact with chemicals then I'd just use it in a rock garden. It's just not worth the gamble..I personally would not even consider using it in a tank.
     
  7. ShaneP Well Known Hawkfish

    473
    Williamsburg, IA
    Ratings:
    +126 / 0 / -0

    Well where was it? Sitting in a cardboard box in your garage or outside in your yard? Spread out on the garage floor for long periods? That's your call, I know nothing about how you've stored it. If you judge it's ok to use, then cook it. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif
     
  8. Dave Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines Area
    Ratings:
    +450 / 1 / -0
    You could give it an acid bath that should remove any nasties and is faster than cooking it:

    http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1914426&highlight=cooking+rock
     
  9. Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Thats an awesome write up. Seems a little more work than 5 lbs of rock is worth. Lol
     

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