Reusing old LR?

Leon1972 · 04/14/2014, 09:44 PM

So I have old LR that is now dead. I used tapwater with it though and it was second hand from craigs list. Im thinking the best way to see what has leeched into it is to toss it in some fresh made RODI water and test it a few days later?
Also, if there are contaminants in it how should I go about getting them out? Do I just keep on putting it in fresh water every few days? Are there any contaminants that once in the rock will always be in the rocK?

bundybear1981 · 04/14/2014, 11:31 PM

any phosphates can take weeks to months before it leaches out. if it has ever been exposed to copper that can take even longer. imo i would ditch it for new base rock

Leon1972 · 04/15/2014, 03:32 AM

No way to know if it's worth while without checking it though. So, is putting it in RODI water and seeing what readings I get the best way to go

toothybugs · 04/15/2014, 03:58 AM

Fair enough. If things start going weird at least you have a good idea where it came from.

Leon1972 · 04/15/2014, 04:14 AM

So I'm asking if this is the best way to test it??? Lol

Odysi · 04/15/2014, 04:21 AM

I would imagine if its gonna leech anything being in RO/DI water would be the best way to find out since its 0 TDS. Im no expert but it makes sense to me.

Leon1972 · 04/15/2014, 04:22 AM

Just wanted to make sure there wasn't a better or easier way

bundybear1981 · 04/15/2014, 04:25 AM

It may not show anything up for a few weeks or maybe even months. It could be contaminated with phosphates but just putting in water might not show you this for an extended period of time. Unfortunately it may not immediately show up. It might show up after 6 months, maybe not at all. Its kinda Russian roulette with the rock. There isn't any way to really tell.

Xavibear · 04/15/2014, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon1972

So I'm asking if this is the best way to test it??? Lol

Cure the rock in a tub with a powerhead. Test the water regularly, when the water consistently comes back 0 PO3 it'l be ready to use.

04/14/2014, 09:44 PM	#1
Leon1972 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: augusta, ga Posts: 97	Reusing old LR? So I have old LR that is now dead. I used tapwater with it though and it was second hand from craigs list. Im thinking the best way to see what has leeched into it is to toss it in some fresh made RODI water and test it a few days later? Also, if there are contaminants in it how should I go about getting them out? Do I just keep on putting it in fresh water every few days? Are there any contaminants that once in the rock will always be in the rocK?

04/14/2014, 11:31 PM	#2
bundybear1981 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia Posts: 685 Blog Entries: 1	any phosphates can take weeks to months before it leaches out. if it has ever been exposed to copper that can take even longer. imo i would ditch it for new base rock __________________ Tank inhabitants : 2x Clownfish, 1x Blue Koran, 1x Foxface Lo, 1xCoral Beauty, 1x Blue Tang, 1x Sailfin Tang Current Tank Info: New Build : 250g (6x3x2) with 2x RW15 pumps, 2x 2200lph return pumps, Tunze ATO, Jebao Dosing Pump, AquaOne G220 Skimmer Last edited by bundybear1981; 04/14/2014 at 11:32 PM. Reason: dumb touchscreen typo

04/15/2014, 04:25 AM	#8
bundybear1981 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia Posts: 685 Blog Entries: 1	It may not show anything up for a few weeks or maybe even months. It could be contaminated with phosphates but just putting in water might not show you this for an extended period of time. Unfortunately it may not immediately show up. It might show up after 6 months, maybe not at all. Its kinda Russian roulette with the rock. There isn't any way to really tell. __________________ Tank inhabitants : 2x Clownfish, 1x Blue Koran, 1x Foxface Lo, 1xCoral Beauty, 1x Blue Tang, 1x Sailfin Tang Current Tank Info: New Build : 250g (6x3x2) with 2x RW15 pumps, 2x 2200lph return pumps, Tunze ATO, Jebao Dosing Pump, AquaOne G220 Skimmer

04/15/2014, 03:32 AM	#3
Leon1972 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: augusta, ga Posts: 97	No way to know if it's worth while without checking it though. So, is putting it in RODI water and seeing what readings I get the best way to go

04/15/2014, 03:58 AM	#4
toothybugs In Memoriam Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The smallest county in Illinois Posts: 1,986	Fair enough. If things start going weird at least you have a good idea where it came from.

04/15/2014, 04:14 AM	#5
Leon1972 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: augusta, ga Posts: 97	So I'm asking if this is the best way to test it??? Lol

04/15/2014, 04:21 AM	#6
Odysi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 401	I would imagine if its gonna leech anything being in RO/DI water would be the best way to find out since its 0 TDS. Im no expert but it makes sense to me.

04/15/2014, 04:22 AM	#7
Leon1972 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: augusta, ga Posts: 97	Just wanted to make sure there wasn't a better or easier way