Reusing old (former) live rock

[bend]

I realize this might be a contadiction but if you have live rock that had a serious algea (hair) infestation and you put it outside all winter in freezing temps and then were setting up a new tank, could it be used as base rock. I have about 50 lbs of this stuff that if this would work, it would save $$ and time. I was thinking about bringing it in and washing and reintroducing it to a saltwater holding tank for about a week or so before trying to put it is a new 120 gallon tank.

Would the problem go away and esspecially if I only use RO/DI water now.

 

[murfman]

Yes, use it as base rock. If the rock is cleaned real good, you should be fine.

 

[alizarin]

Put it in a tank with a small piece of live rock and it'll all be live rock again in time. You'll need to cure it again though - all that stuff that died will be shriveled up and dead on the rock and will turn to nitrates in the tank.

 

[Larry Waughon]

I would put it in a holding tank of salt water with a circulating pump. No light , or heater needed. Change water as needed for a few weeks.