What is this on my Rock

reefkeep3r · 05/25/2013, 05:38 PM

Hello everyone,

I am starting my first reef tank. I ordered BRS Fiji dry rock. I have it soaking in a muriatic acid bath now to help get a start on P04.

There are a couple things on the rock I need help identifying and then I need to know what to do with it.

I have pictures attached so you guys can see.

The first 2 pictures are of what was white little bumps on the rock.
The next 2 are of a hard substance that was also white that covers the rocks.
Maybe corraline that died when it was dry. Should I chip it off or leave it on.

Thanks

Joeski123 · 05/25/2013, 05:59 PM

It will not hurt to leave it on, just additional substance on your rock. Encrusting sps corals or coralline will only get recovered by all kinds of stuff in the future.

ProudSoonersFan · 05/25/2013, 07:10 PM

I'm very new to all this and I just ordered a 50 lb box from BRS as well. Is the muriatic acid bath required for dry rock?

reefkeep3r · 05/25/2013, 07:27 PM

Good, I wasn't sure if I needed to break it of to open to pours under it or anything else. With everything else to do with a new tank when ur a newbie, I like advise that says leave something.

As far as my research has said, you don't need to do anything to dry rock. That being said working with BRS rock, pukani has a high potential to leak phosphates, Fiji a smaller chance and eco-saver is almost none. The acid bath removes the outer layer of the rock and releasing the phosphates as well as cleaning some of the stuff of. I think this also helps a smother cycle.

I chose to do it because it is cheap, easy and as far as I know it doesn't hurt and hopefully gives me a little head start and keep phosphates in check.

ProudSoonersFan · 05/25/2013, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefkeep3r

Good, I wasn't sure if I needed to break it of to open to pours under it or anything else. With everything else to do with a new tank when ur a newbie, I like advise that says leave something.

As far as my research has said, you don't need to do anything to dry rock. That being said working with BRS rock, pukani has a high potential to leak phosphates, Fiji a smaller chance and eco-saver is almost none. The acid bath removes the outer layer of the rock and releasing the phosphates as well as cleaning some of the stuff of. I think this also helps a smother cycle.

I chose to do it because it is cheap, easy and as far as I know it doesn't hurt and hopefully gives me a little head start and keep phosphates in check.

Interesting. I wonder if I need a phosphate test for mine when I get it up and running. I bought dry Fiji rock. Will the phosphates do down during the cycle period?

reefkeep3r · 05/25/2013, 08:59 PM

I understand that some rocks will leach more then others, it seems that it varies between a few weeks to 6 months. Again I am setting up my first SW tank as well so I am only going off of hours of reading and not personal experience.

ProudSoonersFan · 05/26/2013, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefkeep3r

I understand that some rocks will leach more then others, it seems that it varies between a few weeks to 6 months. Again I am setting up my first SW tank as well so I am only going off of hours of reading and not personal experience.

I don't know how much it will help but I'm going to be running a 55 gallon aquarium with a 30 gallon refugium/sump with some chaeto. It's my understanding that chaeto will help with phosphates but to what degree I'm not sure. Do you plan on running a refugium/sump?

05/25/2013, 05:59 PM	#2
Joeski123 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Lititz, pa Posts: 3	It will not hurt to leave it on, just additional substance on your rock. Encrusting sps corals or coralline will only get recovered by all kinds of stuff in the future.

05/25/2013, 07:10 PM	#3
ProudSoonersFan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 117	I'm very new to all this and I just ordered a 50 lb box from BRS as well. Is the muriatic acid bath required for dry rock?

05/25/2013, 07:27 PM	#4
reefkeep3r Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 146	Good, I wasn't sure if I needed to break it of to open to pours under it or anything else. With everything else to do with a new tank when ur a newbie, I like advise that says leave something. As far as my research has said, you don't need to do anything to dry rock. That being said working with BRS rock, pukani has a high potential to leak phosphates, Fiji a smaller chance and eco-saver is almost none. The acid bath removes the outer layer of the rock and releasing the phosphates as well as cleaning some of the stuff of. I think this also helps a smother cycle. I chose to do it because it is cheap, easy and as far as I know it doesn't hurt and hopefully gives me a little head start and keep phosphates in check.

05/25/2013, 08:59 PM	#6
reefkeep3r Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 146	I understand that some rocks will leach more then others, it seems that it varies between a few weeks to 6 months. Again I am setting up my first SW tank as well so I am only going off of hours of reading and not personal experience.