Reusing my old live rock

cnreef · 02/19/2014, 05:11 PM

I've had some old live rock sitting outside for the past 2 months. Do you guys think I need to do anything else to make sure it's clean of any previous organisms? It previously had some bubble algae on it but that's all as far as unwanted algae. I was thinking of doing a precautionary bleach (10:1 mix) or vinegar bath, I really don't want to use any acid.

Thanks for any input.

danil · 02/19/2014, 06:01 PM

Clean them per your liking first (brush, power wash, bleach, acid etc). Then cook them in the brute trash can. You can do it in the tank if it's new but be aware of smell... Check phosphate level and if high use Lanthanum chloride to lower it. LC is cheap and works well.

slyjosh · 02/19/2014, 06:03 PM

Thanks, I am planning on doing this also.

Dustyboots · 02/19/2014, 08:12 PM

I know live rock is spendy, but I'd err on the side of no and get new live rock. Better safe than sorry.

Menace2Sobriety · 02/19/2014, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustyboots

I know live rock is spendy, but I'd err on the side of no and get new live rock. Better safe than sorry.

I bought live rock and now have 3 bubbles of bubble algae on one piece..... Buying "new" doesn't mean "free of pests".
Though I guess a "maybe has xyz" is better than a "definitely has xyz".

Menace

Dustyboots · 02/19/2014, 09:15 PM

No offense, just want you to have your best result. I wish you luck and hope you have a successful reef!

cnreef · 02/20/2014, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustyboots

I know live rock is spendy, but I'd err on the side of no and get new live rock. Better safe than sorry.

Thanks, the point of this is not to get new live rock, but to reuse old live rock and place it in the tank as dead rock (base rock). A lot of people have used different methods such as bleach, muriatic acid, and vinegar successfully so I was just asking for some input on a method that would work out well for my particular case

Pife · 02/20/2014, 01:36 PM

I have used rock that has been out of water for years. Just cycle it and all will be good.

davocean · 02/20/2014, 01:44 PM

I agree, just cycle it and you'll be fine, many do this.
The acid bath would only be needed if for some reason you thought it might be loaded w/ phosphates.
I would rather reuse rock that is available than to keep adding to what is pulled or collected.

BigCountry74 · 02/20/2014, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pife

I have used rock that has been out of water for years. Just cycle it and all will be good.

/this

02/19/2014, 05:11 PM	#1
cnreef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 398	Reusing my old live rock I've had some old live rock sitting outside for the past 2 months. Do you guys think I need to do anything else to make sure it's clean of any previous organisms? It previously had some bubble algae on it but that's all as far as unwanted algae. I was thinking of doing a precautionary bleach (10:1 mix) or vinegar bath, I really don't want to use any acid. Thanks for any input.

02/19/2014, 08:12 PM	#4
Dustyboots Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 104	I know live rock is spendy, but I'd err on the side of no and get new live rock. Better safe than sorry. __________________ Using Tapatalk

02/19/2014, 09:15 PM	#6
Dustyboots Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 104	No offense, just want you to have your best result. I wish you luck and hope you have a successful reef! __________________ Using Tapatalk

02/20/2014, 01:44 PM	#9
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I agree, just cycle it and you'll be fine, many do this. The acid bath would only be needed if for some reason you thought it might be loaded w/ phosphates. I would rather reuse rock that is available than to keep adding to what is pulled or collected. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

02/19/2014, 06:01 PM	#2
danil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 935	Clean them per your liking first (brush, power wash, bleach, acid etc). Then cook them in the brute trash can. You can do it in the tank if it's new but be aware of smell... Check phosphate level and if high use Lanthanum chloride to lower it. LC is cheap and works well.

02/19/2014, 06:03 PM	#3
slyjosh Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 51	Thanks, I am planning on doing this also.

02/20/2014, 01:36 PM	#8
Pife Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 7,408	I have used rock that has been out of water for years. Just cycle it and all will be good.