Live rock exposed to air

[drama07]

Hi,

If live rock is exposed to air 100% for at least a month, does everything on the rock die off. Does it literally become dead rock?

Thank you

 

[zma21]

A month?

I can't say that everything will die, as there will for sure be a presence of anaerobic bacteria and other hardy bacterium, but 98%+ will probably perish. You will need to cure it again.

 

[putitang]

Yep just dry base rock now.

 

[Mrbeachbum2]

I'd do an acid bath on it. Clean out the pores of the rock

 

[drama07]

To be honest, I want it to be dead. Just want to make sure 100%. Well the bacteria is no biggie but probably long term pest control.

 

[zoolan70]

Like posted earlier, I'd acid wash it if you trying to clear it of any pests. Plus it gets any organics out which may have leached in.

 

[Mrbeachbum2]

To be honest, I want it to be dead. Just want to make sure 100%. Well the bacteria is no biggie but probably long term pest control.

Acid wash will do that for you. Plus it's pretty cheap to do!

 

[drama07]

What acid are we talking about in particular that can be bought locally, anywhere? No longterm ill effects?

Thank you

 

[iamwrasseman]

i use muriatic acid 1 cup to 5 gallons for a few hours but dont let it go for to long .

 

[drama07]

Thank you.

Can I use Vinegar instead?

 

[chimmike]

I'm not so sure I'd even do a few hours with muriatic acid. Less than that.

Sun dry it for a month, bleach/vinegar or muriatic acid bath for maybe 30 mins to an hour. Any more than that and IMO you'll get a bit of rock eaten away. you MUST thoroughly rinse the rock after that bath!

 

[RVANANO]

Everything will be dead except for bryopsis and GHA.....

 

[kingfisher62]

Muriatic acid is cheap and you can get at any home depot , Lowe's, etc.

 

[drama07]

Well I have vinegar at home on hand, so I was thinking of using it instead of hydrochloric acid.

I want everything dead, because I can't risk anymore hitchhikers that screwed with me with my last setup

 

[Agu]

I'm not a fan of using chemicals .

Brush off any loose waste, dead algae, etc. Rise it using a garden hose (or sink sprayer if you don't have access to a garden hose). Make a point of trying to get as much crud out of the rock pores as possible. Then give it a good soak in freshwater (I use RO/DI for this part to avoid additional contaminants possibly in the tap water).

If you used RO/DI for the soak, after a few days your rock will be ready to go right in the tank.

 

[cloyd A.]

Thank You AGU.