Adding BRS Dry Eco Rock

[oneradtek202]

if i add 40 lbs of this to an established tank, with established water and rock......will there be an issue? im thinking about adding a bunch of new rock when i switch over tanks possibly, but i wanna know the ramifications first lol

 

[daveml]

I added 25 pounds of macrorocks over the course of a week or so with no issues. I first rinsed it off well and put it in a container with a piece of live rock powerhead and heater for a week.

4 months later and the rock is starting to look good with corraline taking hold.

 

[Newreeflady]

I don't know anything about the source of the rock, but I bought dry rock and was told that if it is land-mined then it should be acid-washed to remove phosphates from the rock... I soaked mine in a tub of ~10:1 water/muriatic acid for several hours and then pressure hosed it outside until it ran clear. The funk in the tub was unbelievable, from seemingly clean-looking rock, which made it seem like a success. The rock is looking fantasmic in my new tank now

-A

 

[solRNY]

^
|
what she said
they appear clean but comes loaded with dead stuff!

 

[Paradiddle7]

I don't know how much existing rock you have or what size your tank is, but if you are increasing it significantly, don't forget to monitor Alk/Ca as your tank's requirements could increase drastically as they get covered with coraline. I added about 20-30% more rock and within about 6 weeks I had to adjust my dosing pump to output about 10%+ more Alk/Ca. Of course, my dosing pump's calibration could have been off, or corals grow etc... but it's just something to keep your eye on.

 

[tmz]

I'd at least cure it for a few weeks just like live rock. Alternatively , a bleach bath in water with some chlorox should remove organics and an acid bath in some vinegar and water or muriatic acid and water should remove any PO4 or metals sticking to it.

I didn't do that when I added it several years ago. It grew algae for months in a low nutrient system. Now it's fine but it was a headache.

 

[mr86mister]

I like the acid wash idea Brandon. Newreeflady hit it right on the nose. Especially for someone like you, I know you'd rather make sure that rock was clean than take the chance of your system not looking perfect...lol.