Old dead live rock question

[razord]

I have about 20 lbs of former live Rick that has been out of a tank for many years. I'm starting a new tank now and put it in it (after washing really well in hot water). I figured with live sand and a few pieces of actual live rock from my other mature tank would be enough to start the cycle. Now I'm second guessing myself. Wash there anything else I should've done to this old dead live rock?

Thanks

 

[billdogg]

No. not IMHO. You are overthinking it.

 

[A sea K]

If the previous tank it came from had a history of algae problems then I would have acid washed the rock, if I was unaware of the previous history I still would do it just as a precaution. It is not that difficult, only takes a few minutes and is worth it to me as a preventative measure.

 

[Ron Reefman]

As always, billdogg is right. You did OK and it just takes time.

Do you have anything alive in the tank now? Your feeding them and there processing that food into detritus is all you need. But it can be hard on whatever that animal is, so most people do it without a fish.

If not, are you feeding the bacteria with something that will increase the ammonia level so they can grow and reproduce? Anything like fish food or even a small amount of pure ammonia (no other ingredients).

I assume you are testing ammonia and nitrate regularly?

 

[razord]

The tank has only had water in it a few days, Live sand and a few pieces of live rock from my established nano. Also, I added a raw shrimp.

As for the history of the rock, it came from a tank that had hair algae issues but that was like 8+ years ago.

I assumed I was fine, but been reading a few various threads that caused me to ask.

 

[billdogg]

It may start to leach some PO4 and/or nitrates, so keep an eye on that and if needed, start up a reactor with some GFO to keep it (the PO4) in check. Otherwise you should be just fine.

 

[A sea K]

IMO it would have been so much easier to acid wash and be done with it. No need to chase phosphate with GFO while hair algae runs all over the tank. I've done it on my last two sytems and VERY happy I did.

 

[razord]

So you're suggesting that I take it out?

 

[reddtiger88]

Where was it stored? Acid will take care of phosphates bound to the surface.

 

[razord]

Where was it stored? Acid will take care of phosphates bound to the surface.

In an empty tank for about 8 years in my garage.

 

[ssick92]

You are probably fine. Anything dead on the rock will just help kickstart your cycle. If you want to guarantee that it won't leach any phosphates into the water then go ahead and acid wash, but rock that old and that dried out shouldn't be an issue IMO.

 

[razord]

Question-
How long does it take to see if I have a phosphate spike caused by the old rock? I’m just wondering how long I would need to test before feeling like I’m through the woods. Also, is the solution as simple as just removing the rock and then the phosphate problem can be corrected? Just wondering how big of a gamble leaving this rock in the new tank is.

Thanks!

 

[billdogg]

you'll know within a week or two if you test every few days. If the PO4 goes up (and can't be attributed to over feeding or source water) the rock will be the next suspect