Best way to Cure Dry Rock?

[Kasey Grohowski]

So I've read bleach is the best way and much safer than acid, anyone know what the proper way to cure dry rock is? How long for the soak, what part bleach per part water?

 

[cvrle1]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/howto-curing-live-rock-for-saltwater-aquariums/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...ction-on-curing-dry-rock.419338/#post-5266091

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-clean-old-rock-before-put-in-the-tank.209008/#post-2392229

 

[Flowering Reef LLC]

I wouldn't use bleach, I personally would just re-cycle the rock for a period of time... so basically you would put the rock in a trash can of saltwater with a circulation pump for a few weeks then when the water parameters are stable you know the rock is safe to use... that method may take longer depending on how you do it but it eliminates the need to use potentially harmful chemicals...hope this helps

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

I wouldn't use bleach, I personally would just re-cycle the rock for a period of time... so basically you would put the rock in a trash can of saltwater with a circulation pump for a few weeks then when the water parameters are stable you know the rock is safe to use... that method may take longer depending on how you do it but it eliminates the need to use potentially harmful chemicals...hope this helps

What temp should the water be?

 

[Flowering Reef LLC]

What temp should the water be?

I would keep it at the same temperature for an average aquarium 75-80 fahrenheit so you could just need to throw is a heater if you need to...

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

I wouldn't use bleach, I personally would just re-cycle the rock for a period of time... so basically you would put the rock in a trash can of saltwater with a circulation pump for a few weeks then when the water parameters are stable you know the rock is safe to use... that method may take longer depending on how you do it but it eliminates the need to use potentially harmful chemicals...hope this helps

Tank water or fresh saltwater?

 

[Flowering Reef LLC]

Tank water or fresh saltwater?

Either should work, tank water or water with added bacteria will get that cycle started quicker! Maybe throw in some fish food and leave it for a while until your ammonia and nitrites and nitrates clear up!

 

[redfishbluefish]

@Kasey Grohowski , I think what you're talking about is "cooking" your rock. This is, putting it in a container that will black it out with a small pump and letting it "cook" for about 8 weeks. You use salt water and heat is not needed. This will allow any pests to die off while still maintaining the good bacteria. Marc Levenson has a video on doing this:




Otherwise, if you wish to start with dead rock, I use two gallons of bleach to about 50 gallons and let it sit for a week. This was followed by multiple rinses (all tap water) and then allowed to fully dry. This will "jump start" the cure by lowering the nitrates/phosphates leaching out of the rock.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

@Kasey Grohowski , I think what you're talking about is "cooking" your rock. This is, putting it in a container that will black it out with a small pump and letting it "cook" for about 8 weeks. You use salt water and heat is not needed. This will allow any pests to die off while still maintaining the good bacteria. Marc Levenson has a video on doing this:




Otherwise, if you wish to start with dead rock, I use two gallons of bleach to about 50 gallons and let it sit for a week. This was followed by multiple rinses (all tap water) and then allowed to fully dry. This will "jump start" the cure by lowering the nitrates/phosphates leaching out of the rock.

Im talking about dry rock, but dry rock can still cause an ammonia spike.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Im talking about dry rock, but dry rock can still cause an ammonia spike.

Then my recommendation is to bleach it....this will jump-start the cure.