cleaning old dry rock

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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