dustinkimpel
Member
I want to add some more live rock to my reef setup. Is it safe to pull some year old live rock out of the garage and put it in the tank? I have it soaking in a rubber made overnight now...
Thank you!
Thank you!
Garage stored liverock
- Thread starter dustinkimpel
- Start date
AZBigJohn
Usually confused...
If it was once live, but left in air for a year, it needs to be cleaned of all old organic debris or you risk having a mini (or maxi) cycle when the dead/decayed material hits your tank. There are threads about acid washing, I've never tried it, but something similar would be needed.
If you have it in a barrel, keep the water moving (throw a powerhead in there) and control the temperature and keep specific gravity maintained (top off evaporation) and let it "cook" for quite some time, so the cycle can happen, and then once complete it will begin to become live rock again, and be safe to go into your system.
There are articles in the stickies on the top that discuss both if these methods.
If you have it in a barrel, keep the water moving (throw a powerhead in there) and control the temperature and keep specific gravity maintained (top off evaporation) and let it "cook" for quite some time, so the cycle can happen, and then once complete it will begin to become live rock again, and be safe to go into your system.
There are articles in the stickies on the top that discuss both if these methods.
Ron Reefman
Active member
Just soak it in water (salt or fresh) for a few days. Pull it out and flush it with a hose and then soak it in some salt water (maybe old water from the tank after a water change to save some on cost?). Then it should be OK. You can always check the water parameters after it has soaked in salt water for a couple of days to see if you have any build up of ammonia or nitrate.
dustinkimpel
Member
Appreciate that replies, don't think I'm going to go the acid method but I will let it soak for a couple more days then start testing the water its in to check. It's just a couple pieces and not worth the effort of all that.
dustinkimpel
Member
And yeah its just been sitting dry in the garage, I live in Oklahoma so it was exposed to temps of 20 F to 120 F. Pretty sure there isn't anything possibly alive left on it.... Only thing I'd be worried about is it leaching into my tank.
KingTriton1
New member
If its a small amount of live rock I would try and remove as much debris as possible and just soak it in vinegar (anywhere from 10% to 100%). After I would give it a good rinse with RODI water and maybe add a single rock every 1-2 weeks to the aquarium instead of all at once. I would also monitor the ammonia level during this period.
