xxmindgamesxx
New member
I live next to a beach and i usually find nice rocks to add to my tank. I found a rock that is perfect for my zoa garden. What do i have to do to the rock before intoducing it to my tank?
How to make these rocks ready for my tank?
- Thread starter xxmindgamesxx
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RobZilla04
Active member
I've heard to option to soak it in boiling RODI water. Not sue if that is the preferred method or not.
xxmindgamesxx
New member
Do not boil or cook them. There's a thread somewhere around here where a guy cooked them in the even and his entire family got extremely ill.
I believe an often recommended method is to soak in muraituc acid. I found this to be helpful http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forum/index.php?threads/muriatic-acid-bath-live-rock-rebirth.85996/
xxmindgamesxx
New member
The rocks are dry. They have been on dry sand for probably months or even a year. No life on the rock what so ever. But what do i have to do to make it clean and ready to be placed in the tank
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I would bleach it a day in a 1/4 bleach/RODI solution, then soak in it RODI water with Amquel or Prime for a day to help neutralize the ammonia, leave it out to dry in the sun for a couple of days and you should be fine. There is always some risk in adding rocks found on the beach with it having absorbed toxins or the chemical composition of the rock itself containing heavy metals that can leach into your water.
anthonys51
New member
+1 i might use carbon on my tank after i add rock just in case it leaches toxins or heavy metal, wouldnt be too worried about spreading disease on a dry rock for that long
scooter31707
New member
Acid bath.
I just saw this video the other day from Melev's Reef. He explains a pretty easy way to "cook" rocks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8-t1zDwaKg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8-t1zDwaKg
xxmindgamesxx
New member
Well... If you want to kill everything on the rocks then an acid bath with muriatic acid or a lot of vinegar would work. Like what was already mentioned, do not actually cook them on the stove.
In the case of the video, the method of prep will kill the critters but get the rock ready for the tank as well. It worked well for me but I do not have experience plucking rocks off the beach.
