Lace Rocks From Freshwater/Algae?

reefwisher · 03/06/2011, 11:26 PM

I got some lace rocks that I had in a freshwater aquarium. I took some of them out due they were getting black beard algae. I soak and cleaned the lace rocks with clorox then brush off what algae I could get off then rinse and stored away. I am wanting to use some of these lace rocks on a new reef set-up. Is there any chance that these algae could come back? And is there only freshwater algae can only live in freshwater?

duncantse · 03/06/2011, 11:36 PM

I don't think algae in freshwater can live in saltwater but not too sure about that. How long did you store the rocks? I'm pretty sure it is safe for you to use in a reef tank.

reefwisher · 03/06/2011, 11:50 PM

The rocks been stored since June,2010. I am pretty sure it safe but still skepitcal.

duncantse · 03/06/2011, 11:55 PM

Yup it's probably safe. Rinse it in hot tap water to ensure everything is dead.

HanoverFist · 03/07/2011, 06:08 AM

Keep in mind several things. Those rocked absorbed everything that was in that tank and are prepared to leech it right back into your new tank.

That means nitrates and phosphates. It also means copper and any other nastiness we wouldn't want in a saltwater tank. These rocks could easily become a nightmare for you.

Put the rocks in a bucket of fresh saltwater for a week or two. Maybe add a powerhead to speed things up. Test the water before adding the rocks, then test a couple weeks later and see if the levels of nitrate, phosphates or copper went up. Might also help to toss a Polyfilter in there and see if it indicates off anything.

03/06/2011, 11:26 PM	#1
reefwisher Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 402	Lace Rocks From Freshwater/Algae? I got some lace rocks that I had in a freshwater aquarium. I took some of them out due they were getting black beard algae. I soak and cleaned the lace rocks with clorox then brush off what algae I could get off then rinse and stored away. I am wanting to use some of these lace rocks on a new reef set-up. Is there any chance that these algae could come back? And is there only freshwater algae can only live in freshwater?

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03/06/2011, 11:36 PM	#2
duncantse Fish Advisor Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,604	I don't think algae in freshwater can live in saltwater but not too sure about that. How long did you store the rocks? I'm pretty sure it is safe for you to use in a reef tank.

03/06/2011, 11:50 PM	#3
reefwisher Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 402	The rocks been stored since June,2010. I am pretty sure it safe but still skepitcal.

03/06/2011, 11:55 PM	#4
duncantse Fish Advisor Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,604	Yup it's probably safe. Rinse it in hot tap water to ensure everything is dead.

03/07/2011, 06:08 AM	#5
HanoverFist Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 626	Keep in mind several things. Those rocked absorbed everything that was in that tank and are prepared to leech it right back into your new tank. That means nitrates and phosphates. It also means copper and any other nastiness we wouldn't want in a saltwater tank. These rocks could easily become a nightmare for you. Put the rocks in a bucket of fresh saltwater for a week or two. Maybe add a powerhead to speed things up. Test the water before adding the rocks, then test a couple weeks later and see if the levels of nitrate, phosphates or copper went up. Might also help to toss a Polyfilter in there and see if it indicates off anything.