Advice on buying pre-owned live rock

germs101 · May 30, 2016

I just purchased a bunch of great live rock from a local who was downsizing their tank. I inspected each piece before placing them into a saltwater filled garbage can. I didn't see any pests, and there were some pieces with an occasional coral polyp. They had a healthy display of fish. Is there any way to treat the rocks for possible parasites or pests without going fallow? I'd hate to introduce something to my tank, but also want to be reasonable and not paranoid.

FL_Reefer · May 30, 2016

You could just dip the rock

ReeferMaddness843 · May 30, 2016

I would do a higher salinity dip (unsure of exact number but recall 1.035 being read before). That would allow the pests time to evacuate rather than risk a spike from dead critters in the rock. My thought process may be off, but makes sense to me. Ha. Hope that helps as a point in the right direction.

Scottsquatch · May 30, 2016

I was also gonna suggest dipping the rock in a bayer solution, but I honestly dont know how it affects the bacteria on the rock. I know it's safe for coral polyps, but I am not sure if its a good idea to dip the rock or not. Maybe somebody else can chime in. Also, the eggs that could be on the rock would not be affected by the dip.

Scottsquatch · May 30, 2016

Double post.

germs101 · May 30, 2016

How long of a dip do you all think?

ReeferMaddness843 · May 30, 2016

For the hypersalinity method in would do about a minute. Unsure of how long to "medically dip" to allow for maximum result.

cmcoker · May 30, 2016

I would keep it in a separate tote/buckst for a minimum 6weeks, preferably 76 days to protect your fish from disease...

Maybe @Humblefish has a different idea but if something encysted on the rock, it could be released into your display. I don't know of any dips/treatment that would kill the encysted stage.

I also qt all inverts and corals before they go in my display, so it's what your risk tolerance is...

FL_Reefer · May 30, 2016

ReeferMaddness843 said:
I would do a higher salinity dip (unsure of exact number but recall 1.035 being read before). That would allow the pests time to evacuate rather than risk a spike from dead critters in the rock. My thought process may be off, but makes sense to me. Ha. Hope that helps as a point in the right direction.

I think your right with that number

ReeferMaddness843 · May 30, 2016

Thx for confirming. Always nervous throwing "facts and numbers" out there as this hobby is filled with so many variables. What helps one may crash another.

dbl · May 30, 2016

I too think the hyper-salinity dip drives out the wise guys. I agree with above that it's 1.035.

saltyfilmfolks · May 30, 2016

cmcoker said:
so it's what your risk tolerance is...

yup. Id go Flatworm exit or another in tank pest treatment over bayer. Rodi FW dip also works.
Ich is another story.

FL_Reefer said:
I think your right with that number

yup correct. and you can sift through what if any you want to keep.

germs101 · May 30, 2016

Thank you for all of the quick responses.

Humblefish · May 31, 2016

cmcoker said:
I would keep it in a separate tote/buckst for a minimum 6weeks, preferably 76 days to protect your fish from disease...

Maybe @Humblefish has a different idea but if something encysted on the rock, it could be released into your display. I don't know of any dips/treatment that would kill the encysted stage.

I also qt all inverts and corals before they go in my display, so it's what your risk tolerance is...

^^Yup, 76 days of isolation (away from fish) would be required to render this rock free of ich tomonts and all other fish diseases.