cycling old rock that has algae on it advice needed

dolt · 01/03/2009, 04:31 PM

I am in the process of cycling my old rock that has been stored dry for about one year. It has some various types of dried nuisance algae on it as the tank became a little neglected before I took it down. I was planning on cycling it in a 150 gallon rubbermaid container with my skimmer hooked up to it and doing frequent water changes. I was wondering if it would be useful to add some urchins to this mix to help strip the rock? I was also going to cover this container to keep any light from it. Any other recommendations on how to best do this process to get the rock as clean as possible?
TIA

wrott · 01/03/2009, 05:13 PM

What you have planned would do the job to "cook" out all of detritus and phosphates (skim, WCs--add a heater to help bacteria "clean out" the pores--75-80F). It may take 3-4 months to cook.
But I would not add anything living--like urchins, just maybe a small piece of "live" rock to start the bacteria to colonize the dead rock.

woodiecrafts · 01/03/2009, 06:06 PM

I agree with "wrott". I wouldn't add anything live at all will it is cooking. You are on the right track with everything else and it will work just fine.

supra66 · 01/03/2009, 06:45 PM

My method:

Fill up tub with white vinegar
Drop rock in the tub
Watch it foam
Let it soak overnight
Rinse with fresh water
Scrub rock with brush
Rinse with fresh water
Put in tub with salt water (I use water change H20)
Cook it with no lights

dolt · 01/03/2009, 08:41 PM

Thanks. It will take three to four months though to do this? How will I know that it is "done"?

wrott · 01/06/2009, 11:35 PM

Detritus will stop oozing out of the rock--usually takes 3-4 months.

01/03/2009, 04:31 PM	#1
dolt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: michigan Posts: 397	cycling old rock that has algae on it advice needed I am in the process of cycling my old rock that has been stored dry for about one year. It has some various types of dried nuisance algae on it as the tank became a little neglected before I took it down. I was planning on cycling it in a 150 gallon rubbermaid container with my skimmer hooked up to it and doing frequent water changes. I was wondering if it would be useful to add some urchins to this mix to help strip the rock? I was also going to cover this container to keep any light from it. Any other recommendations on how to best do this process to get the rock as clean as possible? TIA

01/03/2009, 05:13 PM	#2
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	What you have planned would do the job to "cook" out all of detritus and phosphates (skim, WCs--add a heater to help bacteria "clean out" the pores--75-80F). It may take 3-4 months to cook. But I would not add anything living--like urchins, just maybe a small piece of "live" rock to start the bacteria to colonize the dead rock. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

01/03/2009, 06:06 PM	#3
woodiecrafts Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 414	I agree with "wrott". I wouldn't add anything live at all will it is cooking. You are on the right track with everything else and it will work just fine. __________________ Always remember, no matter where you go, there you are. "Buckaroo Banzai" Current Tank Info: 2-75 Gal Mixed Reefs / with T-5 Nova Extremes // 1-10 gal nano reef w/ PC's

01/06/2009, 11:35 PM	#6
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	Detritus will stop oozing out of the rock--usually takes 3-4 months. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

01/03/2009, 06:45 PM	#4
supra66 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 6	My method: Fill up tub with white vinegar Drop rock in the tub Watch it foam Let it soak overnight Rinse with fresh water Scrub rock with brush Rinse with fresh water Put in tub with salt water (I use water change H20) Cook it with no lights

01/03/2009, 08:41 PM	#5
dolt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: michigan Posts: 397	Thanks. It will take three to four months though to do this? How will I know that it is "done"?