Pukani and Phosphates???

[joecc]

Setting up new tank and have a chance to buy some used Pukani dry rock pretty cheap, that was in a tank for one year. It sounds like the owner never cured the rock or acid bath before he stuck it in his tank, but again, it was in a running tank of one year.

Should being in a tank for one year have alleviated any potential phosphates problems for me in a new tank. Should I cure the rock again before using it, and for how long?

Should I be concerned about anything else like previous copper use in his tank with this rock?

 

[Vadafallon]

I am actually in the same boat as you. Following.
I have someone who has a bunch dried out in a trash can. What should i do before putting this rock in a already established tank?

 

[MiddletoM]

honestly for both of you I would recommend the acid bath treatment, its quick and leaves you with perfectly clean rock to add to a new or established tank.

I added pukani to my new system and faffed about with phosphates for quite a while. had to mess about with water changes and lanthanum chloride dosing to lower the phos. If I could go back I would 100% do an acid bath for a clean start.


I would imagine though the rock that was in the guys tank for a year should be relatively low in phosphates assuming it was a thriving reef tank. still, I would start with a clean slate and acid the rocks.

 

[lespaul339]

honestly for both of you I would recommend the acid bath treatment, its quick and leaves you with perfectly clean rock to add to a new or established tank.

 

[jayball]

If the rock is now dry or still live and full of pests or was used with copper than I would do the acid bath. If it is still wet and good liverock than I would run with it.

The act of drying out rock without cleaning it causes layers of death (I pulled sponges, macro, and dry crabs and worms out of mine, to say nothing of the bacteria and microfauna you can not see) that decomposes leading to ammonia and PO4 issues.

 

[bdunn12]

If it has been in a tank that has been running for a year than I would just leave it and roll with it as is.

 

[Volcmreefer]

My vote is acid bath and then put it in a container with ROFI, a heater, and pump and dose Lanthanum Chloride until you see phosphates close to zero. Pukani is notorious for leaching phosphates back in the water. I did this a few months ago. There are many threads on here that can guide you through the process. Happy Reefing!

 

[joecc]

Thanks for all the great input!

While a really like the Pukani, I may just buy the reef saver, not have to deal with this or have to worry about algae nightmares.

I was hoping to avoid all this since the rock had been in a tank for a year, but it doesn't sound like I can be confident about it not being an issue

 

[lespaul339]

Reef saver will still have phosphates leach from it. I would still recommend an acid bath with any dry rock you plan on using.

 

[Reef Frog]

Lanthium chloride isn't hard to do. It will cost you tiny money and some time. But you only get the chance to start right once. An ounce of prevention is worth......you know. JMO.