Restarting 1/3 of the rock in a 180g

thabizness · 11/09/2016, 08:54 AM

I would like to take out and acid wash 1/3 of my live rock in my year old 180g reef and put it back in its same place to remove pests. What would be the affect on my reef when this is done? Should I expect a mini cycle and watch out for ammonia or will I have an increase of nitrates or phosphates.

Thoughts?

mcgyvr · 11/09/2016, 09:10 AM

You should cure the rock in a separate container until no signs of ammonia/nitrites/nitrates/phosphates are detected.. May not take long at all depending on how clean you get the rock..

What pests? There may be "better" ways to avoid a curing process..

thabizness · 11/09/2016, 09:24 AM

Years ago I got what I consider pest palys and they have been with me ever since. They have taken over an area but I have them isolated to where I could remove them now and be done. I would like them gone before I rescape the area. I have tried kalk paste but they come back with vengeance. They number to many to chisel out plus I don't want the risk of dealing with these as they are know locally for palytoxin issues. Easier to nuke the rock using acid to remove organics dry out and reuse over a week or so.

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thabizness · 11/09/2016, 09:26 AM

I don't want to buy new live rock because of cost and may bring in other unwanted pests.

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mcgyvr · 11/09/2016, 11:17 AM

Be VERY careful when trying to nuke rocks of palys.. If you aren't already aware they produce a toxin that goes airborne that can harm/kill humans..
Do it outside with plenty of ventilation,etc...

thabizness · 11/09/2016, 11:46 AM

Very aware. Thanks for the additional warnings!

11/09/2016, 08:54 AM	#1
thabizness Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sooo St. Louis Posts: 363	Restarting 1/3 of the rock in a 180g I would like to take out and acid wash 1/3 of my live rock in my year old 180g reef and put it back in its same place to remove pests. What would be the affect on my reef when this is done? Should I expect a mini cycle and watch out for ammonia or will I have an increase of nitrates or phosphates. Thoughts?

11/09/2016, 09:10 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	You should cure the rock in a separate container until no signs of ammonia/nitrites/nitrates/phosphates are detected.. May not take long at all depending on how clean you get the rock.. What pests? There may be "better" ways to avoid a curing process.. __________________ Who me?

11/09/2016, 11:17 AM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Be VERY careful when trying to nuke rocks of palys.. If you aren't already aware they produce a toxin that goes airborne that can harm/kill humans.. Do it outside with plenty of ventilation,etc... __________________ Who me?

11/09/2016, 09:24 AM	#3
thabizness Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sooo St. Louis Posts: 363	Years ago I got what I consider pest palys and they have been with me ever since. They have taken over an area but I have them isolated to where I could remove them now and be done. I would like them gone before I rescape the area. I have tried kalk paste but they come back with vengeance. They number to many to chisel out plus I don't want the risk of dealing with these as they are know locally for palytoxin issues. Easier to nuke the rock using acid to remove organics dry out and reuse over a week or so. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

11/09/2016, 09:26 AM	#4
thabizness Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sooo St. Louis Posts: 363	I don't want to buy new live rock because of cost and may bring in other unwanted pests. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

11/09/2016, 11:46 AM	#6
thabizness Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sooo St. Louis Posts: 363	Very aware. Thanks for the additional warnings!