Ok first time here many questions

[BryanCaruso]

Here it goes I have been into saltwater reef tanks since 2006 and have had several numbs along the road mostly my fault. My first reef tank was a old freshwater tank a 60g hexagon with Hob skimmer and 250watt lumenarc MH. Obviously not the best dimensions for a reef at 30" tall poor skimmer etc. I did buy all the live rock at Clayton pets. Several bumps with that tank include was the ice storm that year and not enough research before starting it. Fast forward to 2011 I bought a whole new setup 65 gallon RR sump t5 lamp in sump skimmer etc but the same rock. Both times setting up the tanks I initially filled the tanks with tap water and rushed into stocking the second time as far as water changes and top I would buy the water from all different shops in town never consitsant. Needless to say always ended up with bad hair algae that was from Po4 leeching into the tank from the rock from 06 and then again in 2011. Here is my first of many problems this time I am going to be very patient and do it the right way. So in 2012 I got locked up for 4 years and the tank was moved with rock water dead fish and corals to a storage unit not by me. The stand is holding the tank but it is broken. First question is I would like to take the two to three months of cooking the rock. This time I am buying a ro di unit. So I have read how to do it. Is there any alternative method I could try since it is mostly dead rock anyway. Btw I went to my first Lfs today and glad to see it under a new owner aquatic treasures and was looking a coastal stand

 

[Pife]

Bleach the rock and then acid wash it then use lanthum chloride to get all the po4 out of the rock?

Welcome to reefcentral.com

 

[BryanCaruso]

Bleach as in from a swimming pool company and is there a formula for concentration of each step

 

[Pife]

Like bleach from your laundry room. Google bleaching live rock

 

[Scubareefman]

Here it goes I have been into saltwater reef tanks since 2006 and have had several numbs along the road mostly my fault. My first reef tank was a old freshwater tank a 60g hexagon with Hob skimmer and 250watt lumenarc MH. Obviously not the best dimensions for a reef at 30" tall poor skimmer etc. I did buy all the live rock at Clayton pets. Several bumps with that tank include was the ice storm that year and not enough research before starting it. Fast forward to 2011 I bought a whole new setup 65 gallon RR sump t5 lamp in sump skimmer etc but the same rock. Both times setting up the tanks I initially filled the tanks with tap water and rushed into stocking the second time as far as water changes and top I would buy the water from all different shops in town never consitsant. Needless to say always ended up with bad hair algae that was from Po4 leeching into the tank from the rock from 06 and then again in 2011. Here is my first of many problems this time I am going to be very patient and do it the right way. So in 2012 I got locked up for 4 years and the tank was moved with rock water dead fish and corals to a storage unit not by me. The stand is holding the tank but it is broken. First question is I would like to take the two to three months of cooking the rock. This time I am buying a ro di unit. So I have read how to do it. Is there any alternative method I could try since it is mostly dead rock anyway. Btw I went to my first Lfs today and glad to see it under a new owner aquatic treasures and was looking a coastal stand

Welcome back to the hobby! I have used a lot of old rock. I use the vinegar method.
My thread is here
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2481535&highlight=acid

It works really well for me, however if I do it again I will add another final RODI baths and let the rock dry for a bit longer. But it was super cheap, super easy, and kind of fun to see how the vinegar just ate all the junk and left really clean rock.

 

[BryanCaruso]

I read through the thread so is it also 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water like with the acid and then 1 part bleach to 10 parts after the vinegar?

 

[Scubareefman]

I read through the thread so is it also 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water like with the acid and then 1 part bleach to 10 parts after the vinegar?

That's sounds correct. I don't think you can use to much vinegar, I think it's was closer to 2/10 when I did it but 1/10 should be good. If the rock appears dirty still after the acid bath just let it sit another day or two.

 

[BryanCaruso]

I have been doing more research on the vinegar some people in the U.K. Let it soak for 72 days. I will probably make it stronger the. It needs to be since it has been sitting in water with dead fish and water I'm thinking 4-5 days on the vinegar. Then take to the car wash and power spray. Next do the bleach bath but not sure how long for that. Next step let fully dry. Then soak in RoDi and prime for a week. Does this sound like a good plan? I am also intrigued about the agent green but is that more for when tank is running? Or could I do a soaking in that?

 

[mpgrant77]

Just as a suggestion before going through all this trouble of curing rock you know you had problems with. You may consider buying dry base rock instead and save some hassle.

 

[BryanCaruso]

Well this is the first time in almost 5 years now doing anything tank related so I don't mind the hassle. I just wanna do it right. Also I am looking looking for rodi unit. And some advice on the best 4 bulb t5 combo and brand

 

[Pife]

Bleach first to kill all organic material on the rock then use muratic acid and remove the outside layer. It's super easy and then soak the rocks in Rodi with powerheads and measure for po4. If present drip diluted lanthum chloride into a filter sock until they are gone. I've don't this before and will do it on every tank I start. Clean rock with no pests including po4.

 

[BryanCaruso]

I was trying to avoid the muratic acid since we have dogs and read vinegar and then bleach to be as effective maybe I'm wrong?

 

[Pife]

I also have dogs. The acid only took 30 minutes and then some baking soda to neutralize it. Then it went down the drain in the backyard.

 

[kegogut]

I also have dogs. The acid only took 30 minutes and then some baking soda to neutralize it. Then it went down the drain in the backyard.

This is what I did. As long as you use the baking soda to neutralize the acid it's perfectly safe to use and then dump down the drain or even in the yard.

 

[EDJFA]

I did mine with muriatic acid too. I did it in my driveway. Some baking soda to neutralize and then poured it down and into the street to drain to the sewer.

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

I did bleach bath over night. Then I did a acid bath for about 45 minutes. I neutralized the acid with baking soda. I quickly rinsed the rocks and let them dry for a week. Since then(about ten days now. I have been soaking the rocks in RO/DI in the tank. Today I tested po4 with an API test kit, it read .25. I am currently doing a water change. Is there anything else I should do?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lance A. Lot]

I did bleach bath over night. Then I did a acid bath for about 45 minutes. I neutralized the acid with baking soda. I quickly rinsed the rocks and let them dry for a week. Since then(about ten days now. I have been soaking the rocks in RO/DI in the tank. Today I tested po4 with an API test kit, it read .25. I am currently doing a water change. Is there anything else I should do?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did you get all the dead bristle worms out? lol

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

Yes what a PITA. I power washed them scrubbed with a brush and then soaked THOSE ROCKS for a total of 2 hours in acid. The rest of my rocks only 45 minutes. I don't think I want to do that process again. Next time, I will buy dry/base rock(picking out dead worms) That acid is some mean stuff. The pukani rock was super brittle. Thanks again for spending your time helping me out. SLASH has proven to be a helpful and welcoming group.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BryanCaruso]

So it sounds like bleach first then acid (I'm still going vinegar tho) 4-5 days some guys do it acid then bleach

 

[Pife]

I did bleach bath over night. Then I did a acid bath for about 45 minutes. I neutralized the acid with baking soda. I quickly rinsed the rocks and let them dry for a week. Since then(about ten days now. I have been soaking the rocks in RO/DI in the tank. Today I tested po4 with an API test kit, it read .25. I am currently doing a water change. Is there anything else I should do?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lanthum chloride