Scrubbing Down Live Rock

[steelhead97]

I'm getting a new tank and would like to transfer live rock and sand into the new tank but I had a nitrate problem with the old tank and some of the rock has hair algae growing on it. Before I move it over could I take a hard bristle brush and scrub away the algae? This may kill off some of the pods and organisms living in the rock but it would allow my new tank to look much nicer. Would you guys do this or should I just leave it and make sure the nitrates are in check in the new tank. Would the algae just die off if the nitrate is low? Thanks

 

[woodycb]

You can scrub it with out hurting much. Just scrub in some saltwater and rinse with saltwater and you should be ok.

 

[tbittner]

I always scrub new LR before placing it in the tank. I use a normal kitchen brush with plastic bristles and plastic handles. I use a new tooth brush to get in the crevices.

I wouldn't use any kind of metal anything brush.

Then like woodycb said, rinse the rock good with saltwater. If you're worried about hitchhikers, soak the rock for about an hour in water that has a salinity of 1.035

 

[speartheman]

I used a mushroom brush to scrub my rock to get rid of hair alge with no harm to the rock.

 

[aastretch64]

I think you would be fine scrubbing the liverock, but I also advise you address the problem that caused the hair algae in the first place. This way you can keep your LR looking nice even after it is in the new tank for a while.

Alex

 

[newb]

new tank.. sounds like a good opertunity to cook some rock. that new tank isnt going anywhere right?