questionable live rock

[jacob.morgan78]

I acquired a reef setup from a family member who couldn't take care of it anymore. It was in pretty bad shape. Anyways, I noticed the live rock didn't look like live rock that I've had or seen in previous tanks and I'm curious where he got the rock from. The rocks are currently in their original water in a trash can with some flow while I get everything cleaned and set up. Is there a test I do on the water where the live rock is to see if the questionable live rock is leaching anything bad into the water?

Thanks!

 

[BeanAnimal]

Test the water that the rocks are being stored in...

 

[rwb500]

are you saying the rock itself doesnt look like it belongs in a reef, or are you just worried about the growth on it? definitely test the water. you might want to cook the rock. search for "cooking rock" to get an idea of what that is.

 

[Sharpie_]

Cracking a rock open will generally give you an idea of it being reef native/safe. If it lacks pores and natural 'skeleton' coloration my money is on it NOT.

 

[jacob.morgan78]

are you saying the rock itself doesnt look like it belongs in a reef, or are you just worried about the growth on it? definitely test the water. you might want to cook the rock. search for "cooking rock" to get an idea of what that is.

the rock itself... it has a lot of junk on it because it was in bad shape when I got it... but the junk I can take care of; the rock itself, I can't

 

[jacob.morgan78]

Test the water that the rocks are being stored in...

What do I test for to see if the rock itself is bad?

 

[jimsplace]

I would definetly check for phosphates and copper. If the rock was in bad shape, I would give it an acid bath to strip all be junk off.

 

[smokenax]

I would definetly check for phosphates and copper. If the rock was in bad shape, I would give it an acid bath to strip all be junk off.

+1 on phosphate & copper was it a fish only setup or was there coral in the tank?

 

[jacob.morgan78]

Coral at one time... Only thing left when I got there were some mushrooms. I'm more concerned with other stuff in the rock that would dissolve... like if he would have got the rock out of a creek or river bed or something... I doubt it but anything's possible.

 

[elegance coral]

Like Jim said above. Give the rocks a bath in muriatic acid and water. If they foam up, they're most likely calcium carbonate, and fine for your tank. The acid will also strip the outside layer off the rock. This will remove the excess phosphate off the rock, that I'm sure is there. If you don't remove the phosphate that's bound to these rocks, you will have a nightmare on your hands when you set up the tank.

 

[Gill_bucket]

Why not just ask him where he got the rock? If he got it at the LFS I'm sure he will remember the hit to his wallet, and likewise he will probably remember rolling up his pants legs and wading into the river to get it. LOL

P.S. Most of the live rock I have seen will turn white when dry, unlike river rocks.