Live Rock

kag259 · 08/05/2013, 01:02 PM

I purchased used live rock that we removed from another tank and put in buckets. We had the live rock and live sand in the buckets with water and light for a week. It was smelling so bad we had to get them out, we put them in our tank yesterday with a filter but the smell is still really bad. Does anyone know how to get the smell out without killing anything? We saw a small snail and I'm sure that might be other things growing in there that we can't see yet. We will not add any fish or anything until we get that taken care of and have the water properly tested and such. Please advise on the smell if you know. Thanks!

thegrun · 08/05/2013, 01:16 PM

The smell is caused by dead organic matter decomposing. There isn't much you can do about it (other than open a window) other than moving the rock to a container outside. I suspect the rock didn't have water movement or a heater while it was stored, otherwise you would not have had as much die-off.

planedoc · 08/05/2013, 01:25 PM

Yeah, not much you can do but ride it out. Just keep it warm and circulating. The more flow the better. Water changes and a skimmer are your best helpers.

kag259 · 08/05/2013, 02:11 PM

Thanks for the replies. No, I didn't have any movement or a heater. I was told that for a week or two it would be okay but they probably just weren't sure. Do you think with time the smell will eventually dissipate as long as we have the filter, heater, skimmer and water changes going? I just don't want to have to throw the rock away.

FunInFloridaSun · 08/05/2013, 02:15 PM

The smell will go away and the rock will be fine if you do the above mentioned. I'm not sure but you might ask if running carbon will help.

kag259 · 08/05/2013, 02:34 PM

That's good news! I will check on running carbon. Thanks so much!

Sacohen · 08/05/2013, 02:50 PM

I was going to suggest Carbon too. I know some people don't like to use it anymore, but it can help in this instance.

08/05/2013, 01:02 PM	#1
kag259 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 3	Live Rock I purchased used live rock that we removed from another tank and put in buckets. We had the live rock and live sand in the buckets with water and light for a week. It was smelling so bad we had to get them out, we put them in our tank yesterday with a filter but the smell is still really bad. Does anyone know how to get the smell out without killing anything? We saw a small snail and I'm sure that might be other things growing in there that we can't see yet. We will not add any fish or anything until we get that taken care of and have the water properly tested and such. Please advise on the smell if you know. Thanks!

08/05/2013, 02:34 PM	#6
kag259 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 3	Thank you! That's good news! I will check on running carbon. Thanks so much!

08/05/2013, 02:50 PM	#7
Sacohen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 1,778	I was going to suggest Carbon too. I know some people don't like to use it anymore, but it can help in this instance. __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Mixed Reef

08/05/2013, 01:16 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	The smell is caused by dead organic matter decomposing. There isn't much you can do about it (other than open a window) other than moving the rock to a container outside. I suspect the rock didn't have water movement or a heater while it was stored, otherwise you would not have had as much die-off.

08/05/2013, 01:25 PM	#3
planedoc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 535	Yeah, not much you can do but ride it out. Just keep it warm and circulating. The more flow the better. Water changes and a skimmer are your best helpers.

08/05/2013, 02:11 PM	#4
kag259 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 3	Thanks for the replies. No, I didn't have any movement or a heater. I was told that for a week or two it would be okay but they probably just weren't sure. Do you think with time the smell will eventually dissipate as long as we have the filter, heater, skimmer and water changes going? I just don't want to have to throw the rock away.

08/05/2013, 02:15 PM	#5
FunInFloridaSun Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: New Port Richey, Fl. Posts: 37	The smell will go away and the rock will be fine if you do the above mentioned. I'm not sure but you might ask if running carbon will help.