Dead Hair Algae Still on Rock after Acid Bath :(

kevinandnadine · 12/30/2014, 07:58 AM

So I'm wondering if I did something wrong.

I purchased some live rock that had seen better days. I want to try the muriatic acid bath. As recommended I soaked the rock in a 3% solution (27% HCL mixed 1:10) for 45 mins which seemed to fully spend the acid. I got a great reaction tons of bubbling / over flowing buckets / the whole 9 yards (and smaller rocks afterwards) Super cool!!!

Now here is the problem. When I pulled the rocks out and rinsed the heck out of them the hair algae was still really stuck on. It was no longer green (it was white) but I still cant get it off. This was some tough stuff. I'd hate to have it grab a hold of a tank.

Any Ideas?

caseytatum44 · 12/30/2014, 08:30 AM

I would just put it in a bucket with a power head and let it sit for a while

reefgeezer · 12/30/2014, 08:37 AM

Soak the rock in strong bleach water. The acid is intended to dissolve the calcium carbonate build-up that harbors bound phosphate. Bleach will oxidize any left over organic material. Use dechlorinator and rinse thoroughly after the soak. Drying in the sun for several days is a good idea also.

kevinandnadine · 12/30/2014, 08:41 AM

Ok
When you say "strong bleach water"

Any suggestions on how strong?
1:2
1:4
Assuming household colorox chlorine bleach.

12/30/2014, 07:58 AM	#1
kevinandnadine Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: College Station tx Posts: 74	Dead Hair Algae Still on Rock after Acid Bath :( So I'm wondering if I did something wrong. I purchased some live rock that had seen better days. I want to try the muriatic acid bath. As recommended I soaked the rock in a 3% solution (27% HCL mixed 1:10) for 45 mins which seemed to fully spend the acid. I got a great reaction tons of bubbling / over flowing buckets / the whole 9 yards (and smaller rocks afterwards) Super cool!!! Now here is the problem. When I pulled the rocks out and rinsed the heck out of them the hair algae was still really stuck on. It was no longer green (it was white) but I still cant get it off. This was some tough stuff. I'd hate to have it grab a hold of a tank. Any Ideas?

12/30/2014, 08:37 AM	#3
reefgeezer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 2,621	Soak the rock in strong bleach water. The acid is intended to dissolve the calcium carbonate build-up that harbors bound phosphate. Bleach will oxidize any left over organic material. Use dechlorinator and rinse thoroughly after the soak. Drying in the sun for several days is a good idea also. __________________ John, Current Tank Info: In-process, 90 Gallon SPS Reef

12/30/2014, 08:30 AM	#2
caseytatum44 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 19	I would just put it in a bucket with a power head and let it sit for a while

12/30/2014, 08:41 AM	#4
kevinandnadine Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: College Station tx Posts: 74	Ok When you say "strong bleach water" Any suggestions on how strong? 1:2 1:4 Assuming household colorox chlorine bleach.