Dead "live Rock" question

[rucnnefish]

Ok, so I have 160 pounds of rock that was once premium fiji live rock, It has been sitting out in the weather for the last 8 years, after my 150g. crashed during a move. Is it worth anything? Should I try to trade it for new?If I can trade it, how much new live rock would be a good trade? The old rock was probably taken out of the reef about 15-20 years ago, it is very light and porous compared to today's so called premium rock, but... no life! Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
Andrew

 

[Jeff]

It should be fine but you may need a long curing process to get it going.

 

[Reef'in Colorado]

Are you going to set up a reef or FOWLR tank again? If so, I'd reuse it and add a little live rock to re-seed it....but like Jeff said, make sure and cure it fully. I'd give it a good bath first since it's been out in the elements collecting dirt, spiders and who knows what.

If you don't intend to use it, I'd say you should be able to find somebody that would want it....but can't really speak to it's value. I guess it's worth whatever you can get for it

 

[rucnnefish]

Thanks guys, I cycled it in 2-100g plastic containers w/protein skimmer. Yes I want the new tank to be a reef, but aren't the little buggies and all the other critters almost if not more important then the rock itself? I only want to set up a 90g this time. So if I kept 50lbs as base rock do you think 50-75lbs of new "live rock" would be enough?

 

[Potsy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12568986#post12568986 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rucnnefish
Yes I want the new tank to be a reef, but aren't the little buggies and all the other critters almost if not more important then the rock itself?

It doesn't take much to seed live rock with new critters. I started my 38 gallon last summer with dry rock, and within days of transfering my corals had plenty of copepods, amphipods, and worms that hitchhiked on the lps corals' skeletons, and my crocea clam's shell. If you really want to jump start the critter population, all you need to do is buy one nice sized piece of live rock from your lfs, or even obtain a scoop of established aquarium sand.

 

[Grumpy Falco]

live rock cycle

live rock cycle

rucnnefish

How long did you cycle that rock? Was wondering if you power washed it or anything like that also.

 

[rucnnefish]

Yes,I power washed it. I took it up to the not so LFS and he traded me about 100lbs of mine for 50lbs cycled fresh live rock. I should be able to get the critters I was seeking from that. Although, I think it is amazing how the rating for "premiun" rock has really fallen. I think that is why people need to add more than 1lb/gal of rock these days, the good rock was taken years ago and premium today would have been considered garbage 10yrs ago. When I upgrade to a bigger tank in the future, I'll use live sand, probably should have done it this time.

 

[downhillbiker]

you should be good as long as you cure it until all levels read 0 on ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites. you may get phosphates from it though, the only way to get rid of that is with a long (4 month+) dark room "cooking" process. your seeding should work well.