Hellllllpppppppp

[jumpincactus]

Ok this is my situation. I have the oppurtunity of purchasing an existing 120 gallon reef tank including all the inhabitants.
The price is 1400.00 This includes a chiller,MH lighting and canopy, pumps, Tunze powerheads and various soft corals and fish. Also included is 100 lbs of Tonga live rock. Now you might be thinking what a smokin deal. Well ya me too. The only drawback is I will have to travel 125 miles. That is not my issue. They will only accept the deal if I take everything.

How in tarnation am I going to pull this one off. My largest concern is due to a death in the family the reef has suffered some tremendous neglect. Understandable. The Tonga Live Rock is totally taken over with various forms of hair algae. I mean it is so prolific you cannot even see the coralline algae that once existed. My questions is this>>>>>> Can the live rock be salvaged???? Can I put it in a spare quarantine tank with out lighting but with good circulation and skimming and save the Tonga. A buddy of mine not to savvy said it would be better to get a few blocks away from their house and junk the rock. This is insane. Has anyone here had any experience with totally encrusted live rock and been able to salvage it?? Think of the money I am saving by attempting to save it and not having to buy new rock. Also I am looking for any input or tips on how to pull this move off. I will literally save thousands of dollars by taking this deal as you all well know the cost of a Reef Tank setup.

Thank you for any help

 

[MrChico]

cook the rock and use it for base rock, or take a few months of TLC and it should get better.

 

[Chelsey]

Yes, the live rock would be salvagable...look for a thread on cooking your rock.

 

[new2u]

I'd say cook, or go a couple weeks with no light, and not worry too much about the whole "cooking" process. You can even cook in the tank since you could start over. I belive that i'd drive from texas to pickup a deal like that....

 

[melev]

That sounds like a great deal, and yes your LR is saveable. FYI, cooking LR does not mean putting it in boiling water.

 

[goldeneyeretrie]

I would do it.

I salvaged a bunch of liverock for a friend that sounded as bad as this stuff.

I dont think you really need to "cook" it. I just scrubbed, swished and other wise cleaned all the areas I could without damaging any visible life I wanted to try to save. Then, put it in a bin with new salt water, added a NO actinic flourescent light on a short photoperiod. I monitored and changed water and within a month or maybe six weeks it was as good as new. I also put some VHO over it when I saw some attatched corals were making it.

Once you get the algae recceeding it goes quick.

GREAT deal.

 

[chaseracing]

You could also have some fun with it and buy a tang and let it get good and fat!

The rock is definitely worth keeping.

-=E=-

 

[new2u]

Marc, you wanna come with me driving up there :lol:

 

[melev]

Naw, it's been sold. No point trying to rob the buyer of their prize.

Btw, what the heck is in MrChico's avatar... That just looks wrong.

 

[jumpincactus]

Ya momma always warned me about you Texans....... LOL Just kidding ya new2u But if ya want you can take a ride on up and help me get it all setup. I would pay you a consulting fee.

All BS aside fellas thanx for the input. I sort of thought that putting it in a rubbermaid cooker and keep the lights off would do the trick. My concern was if it would return rapidly. But I guess that part will rely on my patience and keeping the nutrients down in the show tank. I figure I will cook it at least 6 weeks and then start from scratch. Damn sure is a great deal even without the rock. I am really stoked............... Thanks again.

I'm sure you will be seeing more of me. I made an attempt at a reef 12 years ago and rushed things. This time I'm gonna go slow and easy and ask lots of gurus.....

 

[jumpincactus]

Hey Marc,

I am going to be in the market for a RO/DI I here you fab some nice units. Can I get a price from you for one?

Thanks