Resilient Live Rock? (threw it out 3 years ago) - Pic

[saf1]

Just let the tank cycle and mother nature will do her job. The rocks have been out for a long long time. You power washed them. They are clean within reason. You can probably add them, with substrate and quality water and start the cycle. We start talking about bleach, acid, boiling or anything else then there are other factors to be aware of and if not done so properly can actually hurt family members. This isn't to say it can't be done (because people here have done so).

A real tank cycle is going to take time anyway has it goes through the various stages and could very well take up to 90 days. If you try and rush the process even with quality rock chances are high you will fail. Anyone would fail mind you. No matter how boring the tank is just by looking at a empty box a process has started and you just have to wait it out.

On the other hand if 30 to 60 days you are finding your readings are not getting any better or you have stuff that doesn't make sense, well then it is cheaper and easier to remove the rock because nothing else is in there. Remember, it is a marathon and not a sprint

 

[whiteshark]

I'd get new rock. Start with all base rock if you are concerned about hitchhikers. Something about rock sitting out like that would make me really hesitant to ever use it again. I know others have with success, but is it really worth the hassle? I mean, after you bleach it or acid bath it it's basically base rock anyway...

One thing is for certain. There is NO WAY I would put it in the tank without bleach or an acid bath. There is no telling what's on that rock anymore from chemicals to critters.

 

[rounder45]

Okay, so I am capturing this discussion onto my blog @ https://reef.bushwilliams.com on the post: http://www.bushwilliams.com/40-gallons/2014/8/15/aquascaping-and-that-live-rock-thing so I can have a record of it when I am either kicking myself in the rear for not going with the majority or feeling good about going with my gut. But here is the thing and I am going to go all reef hugger / reef hippy on you for a minute here so bear with...

The life on these rocks three years ago ruined my tank. Or at least thats my story and im sticking to it. However, I know where these rocks have been (safely under my screen porch) and they have sat out long enough that nothing should be alive on them. I power washed them thoroughly. So much they all have the scent on the ocean coming out of them again. I realize that's part bacteria, part dead matter, likely some PO4 sources, etc. but in the end that's also thousands of years of life on the reef locked away at the core of those rocks. I am just not ready to nuke and pave that for the sake of doing it.

Its a new Innovative Marine 40G tank. I have the lights out and then little carbon/po4/filter pads that it came with installed until the cycle is complete. Once it is I will trash those pads and load up the media reactors. I intend to wait for a cycle, add some Garf Grunge and some life seeds from IPSF and then maybe in 12 weeks or so I will load up a shrimp and a fish.

If hydroids pop out of those rocks I am going to eat a boatload of crow and come back to let all of you know. In the meantime your continued opinions on this topic are always appreciated and I look forward to them.

Thanks,

Bush

should be fine... personally I would have cycled in a rubbermaid for a month or two first. keep lights off and long cycle the rock(2 months). I would pull off all filtration as well. No point in limiting the bacteria from cleaning the dead life off the live rock.. carbon and PO4 control will limit bacterial growth by removing needed nutrients and that is not what you want...