Re-useing live rock.

[LilShaz]

Hey guys. My 120l nano suffered a terrible crash a couple of months ago, and has been empty since. I've decided to get back in the saddle and start again, but I'm unsure of what to do with my live rock. The tank was in pretty bad shape when I drained her, and the rock has since been left to dry out. I imagine the phosphate and dead c*@p is through the roof. I've looked around and I've seen so many suggestions, and I'm confused. Some people suggest an acid bath, others use bleach and other people sware by simply re-curing in a vat of warm salt water and powerheads. I've never had to do this bit before, and was hoping for some opinions based on your personal experiences with these methods. I'm in no rush and want to take my time and do this properly.

Thanks in advance. X

[HarryPotter]

A great option would be to order some ReefCleaners dry rock and start over. ReefCleaners rock is very clean, porous, looks beautiful, and will not leach anything.

 

All for about $2 a pound shipped to your door!

 

You can re-cook the rock, but that would entail a long process with the rocks in a tub like you mentioned

[seabass]

New rock is ideal, but you could use your old rock. A bath in a 1:20 solution of muriatic acid would probably yield the best result (but it is relatively dangerous and safety precautions should be taken to protect eyes, skin, and lungs). Acid will remove the outer layer of the rock (presumably along with the bound phosphate and organic material).

 

Bleach will remove the organic material (along with the phosphate within the dried organic matter). However, it will not release the phosphate which is bound to the calcium of the rock. It's a little safer than acid but it's still dangerous (especially to the lungs and eyes).

 

Curing it in saltwater will naturally break down the organic matter. It's the safest method; but like bleach, it won't release all of the phosphate that might have been bound to the outer layers of the calcium based rock. This remaining phosphate will leach out of the rock over time. Manually remove as much foreign material from the rock prior to curing.

 

If you do use bleach or acid, I'd still cure it in saltwater. Use a nitrifying bacteria culture like DrTim's One and Only, then dose DrTim's Ammonium to 2 ppm. Maintain this level of ammonia while curing the rock for several weeks, then wait until the ammonia becomes undetectable (this will establish a biofilter on the rock).

[amphipod]

well, you can wash off the rocks to get the "chunks" out (tap water is fine) and let it clean its self for a couple weeks ( again tap water is fine). once the bacteria have gone to town on the death buffet, it really is fine to reuse in your saltwater aquarium.