Cleaning (formerly) live rock

[aic]

I came across a great deal on CL for some rock. The previous owner broke down the tank many months back and just had the rock sitting (dry) on a covered porch.

The rock is now dead, and will need to be re-cured. However, first step is cleaning it. I'm a little confused. I see some suggestions for soaking in bleach for 1-2 weeks, scrubbing with a brush, let it dry outside, then a soak in vinegar, and then RO water.

I've seen some people suggest skipping the bleach step. Which is correct?

 

[2smokes]

I would just wash it with a pressure hose .

 

[scooter31707]

I agree ^^^. Then let them cure in a container with freshly made saltwater. Just make sure being in the covered porch that no pest control spray/residue or week control/residue got on them. No way to really tell, just cross your fingers.

 

[A sea K]

More often then not old live rock will contain bound up phosphate and can cause some fairly problematic algae issues. When I re-use old rock especially from an unknown source I always give the rock a muriatic acid bath to help alleviate phosphate related issues.

 

[thegrun]

More often then not old live rock will contain bound up phosphate and can cause some fairly problematic algae issues. When I re-use old rock especially from an unknown source I always give the rock a muriatic acid bath to help alleviate phosphate related issues.

+1, give it an acid bath or you risk a long protracted fight with algae.

 

[Justin330]

After you soak it in acid what do you do with it ? I'm picking up some old LR too.

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[shifty51008]

After you soak it in acid what do you do with it ? I'm picking up some old LR too.

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rinse it with water then soak it in SW, this way you can test it before adding it to the tank for phosphates, nitrates and ammonia while cycling. then do water changes as needed or dose to remove phosphates if needed

 

[Justin330]

So the acid won't leach into the rock at all? I'm kinda skeptic on this. Lol but it must work.

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[A sea K]

After you soak it in acid what do you do with it ? I'm picking up some old LR too.

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After the acid bath you need to neutralize the acid with baking soda. Do a search here on the specifics as I cant recall how much baking soda to use for "x" amount of acid. Once that is done I give a thorough rinsing with the garden hose and begin cycling with saltwater from that point onward.

 

[Justin330]

Ok thank you!

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[aic]

If you don't want to use acid- can you just soak it in vinegar and scrub it?