cleaning base rock

[gusto1]

Hello Everyone,
I got some dry base rock from a fellow reefer and I was wondering whats the best way to clean it before I put it in the tank. it's a up and running tank.

Thank you

 

[Ah64av8tor]

First off, where did the rock come from?

A tooth brush works well.

I have 100lbs that came from an old, dead setup, so I am cooking it as we speak.

If it is terrestrial rock from a quarry then you can just soak it for a few weeks in a 10% solution of meratic acid and water followed by fresh water soaking for a few days rinsing and changing the water every day until no odor is left.

If it is fairly clean and does not have a lot of detritus and dirt in it then you can just soak it for a few days in a 10% solution of clorox bleach and water followed by fresh water soaking for a few days rinsing and changing the water every day until no odor is left. you can speed it up if you use a declorinater.

 

[gusto1]

Thank you Greg,
actually the was live rock, that someone had taken out of there tank and it all died.

Gus

 

[Ah64av8tor]

Gus,

Why did they taken out of their tank?

If it was overloaded with detritus and covered in hair algae, then the organics and nutrients will still be trapped in the rock.

I would cook it as prescribed in many different threads here.

 

[TekCat]

If it is dead rock, then I'd give it an acid bath (as suggested previously). I just cleaned mine this way. There were sooooo much junk. As Randy mentioned this is faster way to clean dead rocks vs. cooking it.

 

[gusto1]

He Took it out because it had Aiptasia anemone all over it. it looks very clean.

 

[Ah64av8tor]

Id just soak it in acid for a few weeks and rince well

 

[gusto1]

Thank you for all your response