Using old LR that is now dry rock on a new build

[fltekdiver]

I'm starting up a new tank, making water as we speak .

I'm trying to decide either buy live rock from a fellow reefer near by, or buy dry rock that a fellow reefer has sitting in empty trash bins for a year.

My question is, if I buy 1 year old dry rock, do I have to cure it still for several months, which I don't want to do, or would a vinegar bath, then rodi bath, then let dry in the sun a few days , then put into the new tank and seed with some LR, be the way to go?

I did use live sand also.

Also how long does it take the white dry rock to start coloring up

Maybe Caribsea purple rock is an option also ?
At $4.00 a pound, its definitely a option. I have a Red Sea Reefer 350 which is a 75G display.

Thank for the help

Go to have to make my decision up here shortly as the tank is filling up in the sand is in.

 

[mcgyvr]

If the dry rock isnt loaded with phosphates then it does not need to be cured..

I simply powerwash old rock and into the tank it goes to start the cycle..

 

[Pokerman11]

Watch this video from BRS:


https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...rock-for-saltwater-fish-tanks-reef-faq-brstv/

 

[fltekdiver]

Perfect thanks !

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Personally if the live rock is pest free & what you want I think you would be better off.

 

[fltekdiver]

The LR is from a fellow reefer who I dont know , but is on our local face book page, and said it had no bad pest, only good hitch hikers , and selling it for $2 lbs

The other person took a tank down a year ago, so it was live back then, but has been dry rock for a year now. According to the BRS video, that rock should be put in a pail for 4-12 weeks to allow die off etc. So that option is off the table now i think.

So I'm left with buying used live rock , or Carbisea rock.
I'm not crazy about Marco rock.
I like more the Hatian rock , or the Carbisea rock

 

[fltekdiver]

Thank you for the help

I decided to order the Carbisea Life Rock off Amazon for $160 for 40lbs
to start. I figured I'll hand pick the rest at the local fish store for the arches etc

This was as I saw it, I don't have to worry about pest on the LR, and don't have to wait 6+ months for the dead LR to color up, and clean up

I appreciate the help

 

[Toolmaker]

Something I have learned about fish tanks. Be sure to seed it with actual ocean live rock. It contains the natural bacteria. I used the bottled spiro stuff and the tank was alive, but so steril it bred millions of aptasia that came on a piece of macro algae.

 

[fltekdiver]

Great advice

I'll goto the LFS and buy a few pcs at $6lb to seed it