Can I reuse live rock?

BeccaScott · 02/07/2013, 05:53 PM

I found some old rock from a tank I set up years ago.
Its pretty much all white now and I think it was outside for a while

Anyways, I found it and my question is can I reuse it?
If so, what do I need to do to clean it properly?

billdogg · 02/07/2013, 06:09 PM

I have used rock in similar condition - rinse it well, make sure it is as free of old dead as possible and put it to use.

nynick · 02/07/2013, 06:19 PM

If you do not know what it has been in contact with I would pass. I know someone who after watching Nemo bought a small SW setup and 2 clowns. She thought the live rock looked dirty but luckily a brush and some dishwashing liquid fixed that in a jiffy!

It might be her old rocks.

kimle · 02/07/2013, 06:36 PM

Can you coral drip the live rocks?

bnumair · 02/07/2013, 07:00 PM

Coral dip will not help rock in any way

BeccaScott · 02/07/2013, 08:04 PM

Any more opinions? I think I may use it I still dont know. I know it was sitting on the ground outside for a longg time but its cleaned up a little and has been sitting in a plastic grocery bag for over a year so Im sure everything that was on it is dead...besides maybe a spider that was in it

snowcarver75 · 02/07/2013, 08:07 PM

Don't worry about it. If your concerned, bleach it for a day or so. Some might suggest cooking it (look up live rock cooking). Don't let FUD stop you.

johnike · 02/07/2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

I have used rock in similar condition - rinse it well, make sure it is as free of old dead as possible and put it to use.

^^^This.
I had rock outside my house for over a year that my sister took and cleaned.
Five years later, it's some of the prettiest rock I've seen.

philosophile · 02/07/2013, 10:00 PM

make sure you cycle it before you put it in any existing aquarium, but otherwise... yeah, you should be able to use it again. If you're not sure if its come into contact with some nasties, then maybe a good washing/acid bath will help.

Sk8r · 02/07/2013, 10:06 PM

Just be sure no lawn chemicals or other such have gotten on it. Beyond that, you need at least one live rock to get it going. It'll take about 8-12 weeks cycle to resurrect.

blanden.adam · 02/07/2013, 10:26 PM

I'd bleach and acid wash it to kill anything growing on it and refresh the surface, but after that you're good to go!

TRENT_G · 02/07/2013, 10:34 PM

The rock is fine to use. I would place it in a bucket of RO/DI water with a strong Powerhead for a few weeks then your good to go.

02/07/2013, 05:53 PM	#1
BeccaScott Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 76	Can I reuse live rock? I found some old rock from a tank I set up years ago. Its pretty much all white now and I think it was outside for a while Anyways, I found it and my question is can I reuse it? If so, what do I need to do to clean it properly?

02/07/2013, 06:09 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I have used rock in similar condition - rinse it well, make sure it is as free of old dead as possible and put it to use. __________________ 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

02/07/2013, 07:00 PM	#5
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	Coral dip will not help rock in any way __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

02/07/2013, 10:00 PM	#9
philosophile Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,149	make sure you cycle it before you put it in any existing aquarium, but otherwise... yeah, you should be able to use it again. If you're not sure if its come into contact with some nasties, then maybe a good washing/acid bath will help. __________________ 90 gallon mixed reef XPS1000SSS skimmer, 2 radions gen 1, tunze osmolator w/ kalk dispenser, 70 lbs pukani, mp40w x2; 1 tomini, 1 clown 2 mandarins. Vinegar dosing, and micro bubble scrubbing.

02/07/2013, 10:06 PM	#10
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Just be sure no lawn chemicals or other such have gotten on it. Beyond that, you need at least one live rock to get it going. It'll take about 8-12 weeks cycle to resurrect. __________________ 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%.

02/07/2013, 06:19 PM	#3
nynick Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,029	If you do not know what it has been in contact with I would pass. I know someone who after watching Nemo bought a small SW setup and 2 clowns. She thought the live rock looked dirty but luckily a brush and some dishwashing liquid fixed that in a jiffy! It might be her old rocks.

02/07/2013, 06:36 PM	#4
kimle Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Irvine (Westpark) Posts: 191	Can you coral drip the live rocks?

02/07/2013, 08:04 PM	#6
BeccaScott Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 76	Any more opinions? I think I may use it I still dont know. I know it was sitting on the ground outside for a longg time but its cleaned up a little and has been sitting in a plastic grocery bag for over a year so Im sure everything that was on it is dead...besides maybe a spider that was in it

02/07/2013, 08:07 PM	#7
snowcarver75 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 86	Don't worry about it. If your concerned, bleach it for a day or so. Some might suggest cooking it (look up live rock cooking). Don't let FUD stop you.

02/07/2013, 10:26 PM	#11
blanden.adam Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Manlius, NY Posts: 1,666	I'd bleach and acid wash it to kill anything growing on it and refresh the surface, but after that you're good to go!

02/07/2013, 10:34 PM	#12
TRENT_G Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 501	The rock is fine to use. I would place it in a bucket of RO/DI water with a strong Powerhead for a few weeks then your good to go. __________________ 120 (4X2X2), 2x250 Phoenix 14k MH with 2X ATI Purple Plus T5 HO, 2x Vortech MP40 ES, 400 gallon sump system. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon SPS Tank w/ 400 gallon sump......