Used Live Rock...What would you do??

[HHIreefer843]

Hey Guys.

Finally getting back into the hobby after about a 2 year break!!!! I am taking petco up on their $1/gallon and got a 40 breeder!

I found a guy selling about 100# of LR on cl for a steal and am going to take him up on it to hopefully kick start my cycle.

What would you do with the rock in terms of "cleaning" it? Would you just put it in the tank with new water? Cook it? Let me know your thoughts!!

 

[Sk8r]

I'd just put it in and let the aiptasia fall where they may. I've set up with dry rock (boring) and twice with second-hand live rock, and while not all of the surprises were great, I never met any pest I couldn't ultimately beat. Caulerpa weed was close, but even that. In general, I got far more treasures than troubles.

 

[HHIreefer843]

Thanks for the reply. I am going to inspect it in his tank and see if I can find any aiptasia and mark where they are and inject em with kalk if I see any!

 

[Mark9]

Saying to start with aiptasia is terrible advice.
Cook the rock.

 

[HHIreefer843]

Not my goal to start with aiptasia, but when I inspect the rock and only see it in one or two places, I will probably inject those places or only cook that place.

I goal is to start with "live" rock from an established tank so there is only a small cycle.

 

[wicz101]

cook rock if possible, great for over long term health of tank. IMO cooking rock for a few weeks before putting into the system, is like a small super charge for the over health of the tank.

 

[FSUwxman]

Cook, cook, cook the rock. The longer the better. Last thing you need is to sabotage a new setup with old rock that is not properly cleansed.

 

[Sapelo]

I'm afraid I'm with Sk8r, the last "Free" live rock I got came with some sponges that I would never have gotten with cooked or dry rock.
Sure, you run the risk of a pest or two, but you're not going to even think of buying the rock if it's covered in aiptasia so.... Just my two cents.

 

[LuciDog]

I guess that all depends on if your willing to deal with some bad guys to reap the benefits of the good guys.

If it was going into a new tank where there is nothing to destroy, I'd be much more lenient then if it was going into an established tank... In which I would 100% cook it

 

[tmz]

Depends on the source.Aiptasia and other pests might be the least of your concerns.
I'd be particulalry wary as to whether the rock was exposed to toxic heavy metals like copper. If so , a bleach and acid bath might be necessary.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...6&highlight=rock+reincarnation+beyond+cooking

If you are confident it has not been exposed to copper or other heavy metals , cure it in salt water like any other live rock, to ensure the biofilter has time to recover from any damage in transport. Check ammonia and phosphate( rock exposed to high levels of phosphate can leach it back creating problems for a long time). If PO4 is high it's easy to treat it with lanthanum chloride in the curing bin before placing the rock in the tank.

 

[Mark9]

Not my goal to start with aiptasia, but when I inspect the rock and only see it in one or two places, I will probably inject those places or only cook that place.

Those things hide in holes like you wouldn't believe, if they are there, no way are you going to get them all.
And once established, are a major pita to deal with.
Good luck.

 

[tmz]

The term "cooking" as it is used in discussions about live rock refers to extended curing in saltwater in an unlit conatiner for a year or more. It's an unfortunate misnomer, Actually cooking live rock or heating it can have serous consequences from toxic vapors.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I too am with Sk8r on this one.