200lb LR overgrown with Green Algae

[zylumn]

I purchased a 230 gal tank a bit ago and am currently storing in the garage. I am renovating my basement and will be making a fish room and mounting the tank in a wall. This will take place at the end of summer approx. Sept. I also just purchased (pickup tomorrow) 200 lbs of LR that is completely over grown with long green algae. I have a 33 gal now with 40 lbs of perfect lr so I could seed it. I was wondering what my options were to completely eliminate the algae.
1) put it in the tank with heaters, filters with carbon and completely cover it over so no light gets in and leave it for the 4 months.
2) Let the rock dry out and die and then in 2 months set the tank up and seed it with good LR.
3) suggestions

Thanks Kevin

 

[drummereef]

I would 'cook' the live rock. The process takes a while, but since you are in the build process it will give you enough time to get it done. There's a really good post quoted from SeanT about half way down in this article describing the process. Check it out.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=437342

 

[Konadog]

"Cooking" will take care of your algae problem. Just be sure to do the "dunk and swish" religiously as it is the only way to be sure the rock is cleaned properly. You will be amazed at all the junk that comes off/out of the rock. I wouldn't let the rock dry out as it will still have all the dead algae and animals in it to foul your tank later.

 

[zylumn]

Drummerreef Thank You great article and reference. I will cook it in the tank.
Konadog. Yes I understand the importance of the dunk and swish application. It looks like the most beneficial aspect for PO 4 and Algae removal.

1) can I dunk and swish in fresh water?
2) Are there any benefits to my salt concentration being lower or higher.
3)Would splitting the lr in half in the tank and every 7 to 10 days doing the D+S on half with a 50% water change be more beneficial (than all of it at once ) for cultivation of existing life?

Kevin

 

[Konadog]

1) can I dunk and swish in fresh water?
No, fresh water can kill of beneficial bacteria and life in/on the rock.

2) Are there any benefits to my salt concentration being lower or higher.
Not really with LR, unless your running it a little low to save salt.


3)Would splitting the lr in half in the tank and every 7 to 10 days doing the D+S on half with a 50% water change be more beneficial (than all of it at once ) for cultivation of existing life?
You can, but the longer all of the LR is in the dark, the better. You will be amazed as what life makes it thru the process.

 

[zylumn]

Thank you Ken Your advice is greatly appreciated and will be acted upon.
Kevin