Cleaning Live Rock

[Djturna4thakidz]

I have chosen the rocks I would like to use for my aquascape. They have little dried material because the Rock was live a year ago. Now it is completely dry. If I give the rock a good scrub can I just throw it in the new tank to help it cycle? I have read a lot of different perspectives.

The rock looks like this

 

[CuzzA]

The rock will need to be cured. I would rather do it outside of the display tank and out of my home. Any clean container that holds water can be used to cure rock in a garage, basement or patio. If you want to speed up the process you can acid wash the rock. Research how to do this so you don't end up in the hospital.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Muric acid? Yes, I would like to speed it up.

 

[Ron Reefman]

That will work. What you are trying to do is get the old dead, dried up organic material off the rock. In the water it will hydrate and start to rot and could cause a big ammonia spike. It could even stink which is why CuzzA suggests rightly that you don't do it in the tank and do it in the garage or outside.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Ok, so the steps I should take are: 1) clean rock good with a brush and RO water to remove excess debris. 2) place in trash can with heater, power head and rock. 3) cover rocks with saltwater. 4) make weekly water changes and test water until rock has cycled. Does this sound like a good plan?

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Do I need to add bacteria?

 

[figuerres]

Ok, so the steps I should take are: 1) clean rock good with a brush and RO water to remove excess debris. 2) place in trash can with heater, power head and rock. 3) cover rocks with saltwater. 4) make weekly water changes and test water until rock has cycled. Does this sound like a good plan?

I would also get an air pump and get some of the large airstone disks and put them in the bottom of the container that way you make sure the water is getting oxygenated.

bacteria - some do some do not, in time they will happen on their own that is part of the cycling process...

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

I would also get an air pump and get some of the large airstone disks and put them in the bottom of the container that way you make sure the water is getting oxygenated.



bacteria - some do some do not, in time they will happen on their own that is part of the cycling process...

Awesome thanks!