Collected live (now dry for years) rock

no_ich · 12/30/2020, 11:06 AM

I’m in the beginning planning phase of starting up another saltwater tank. Over the past few years I’ve collected live rock for various places around the world. That said, all of the rock has been sitting in storage for years. I need some advice.

1) Is the coralline algae on these rocks still viable at this point?
2) Should I bleach these to ensure there are no lingering spores or should I look to Cure with just heated saltwater? I was hoping to maintain some of the color on the dry live rock if I could but it’s not a requirement.

Thanks for your help

Sk8r · 12/30/2020, 12:11 PM

If you know for a fact that nobody has set a drippy gas or weed killer can on or near, or if it hasn;t been receiving tailpipe emisisons, etc, I'd just set it in a bin with tapwater for a week, pour that off (to remove dust and spiders) and then set up to re-cure it. They may have revived plants from the ice age, but their frozen conditions are likely more life-friendly than your typical garage, where it comes to plants. If any develop, there's a quick cure with hydrogen peroxide and a water soak before restoring it to the mass of rock.

billdogg · 01/01/2021, 10:11 AM

I keep my "extra" rock in a pile at the back corner of my veggie garden. When I need a piece, I bring it in, give it a quick scrub in the utility sink (NOT the kitchen sink - the boss lady thought poorly of that) and use it.

12/30/2020, 11:06 AM	#1
no_ich Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 3	Collected live (now dry for years) rock I’m in the beginning planning phase of starting up another saltwater tank. Over the past few years I’ve collected live rock for various places around the world. That said, all of the rock has been sitting in storage for years. I need some advice. 1) Is the coralline algae on these rocks still viable at this point? 2) Should I bleach these to ensure there are no lingering spores or should I look to Cure with just heated saltwater? I was hoping to maintain some of the color on the dry live rock if I could but it’s not a requirement. Thanks for your help

12/30/2020, 12:11 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If you know for a fact that nobody has set a drippy gas or weed killer can on or near, or if it hasn;t been receiving tailpipe emisisons, etc, I'd just set it in a bin with tapwater for a week, pour that off (to remove dust and spiders) and then set up to re-cure it. They may have revived plants from the ice age, but their frozen conditions are likely more life-friendly than your typical garage, where it comes to plants. If any develop, there's a quick cure with hydrogen peroxide and a water soak before restoring it to the mass of rock. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/01/2021, 10:11 AM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I keep my "extra" rock in a pile at the back corner of my veggie garden. When I need a piece, I bring it in, give it a quick scrub in the utility sink (NOT the kitchen sink - the boss lady thought poorly of that) and use it. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer