CaribSea Life Rock

Judi M · Mar 19, 2019

Hello,

I purchased 10-12 lbs of Caribsea Life Rock last weekend. In my paranoia not to bring in anything bad to my tank (plus it looked dusty from sitting at LFS), I washed it off with RODI water before my husband worked on gluing it together a few days ago.

Did I just defeat the whole purpose of the bacteria?

Brad Miller · Mar 19, 2019

Welcome to the club Judi !
How much washing did you do, and did you scrub it ?
The bacteria is on it and can come off if you were to rough with it in your endeavor to clean it

Judi M · Mar 19, 2019

Fortunately I didn't scrub it-just put in sink and poured lots of water over it, trying to get dust/dirt out of crevices. Crossing my fingers its ok.

Jekyl · Mar 19, 2019

Was it mailed in water? If not bacteria probably didn't make it

Mastiffsrule · Mar 19, 2019

And...Welcome

#welcometor2r

Judi M · Mar 19, 2019

Jekyl, no, is wasn't live rock, it's caribsea life rock... where they infuse the rock with bacteria somehow and dry it.

lapin · Mar 19, 2019

"requires no curing, and is infused with spored, live bacteria."
I doubt you washed it all off. Bacteria are pretty hard to get off a surface esp as porous as that rock.
If you are worried, you can always toss a bottle of bacteria in the tank.

Nep2n · Mar 19, 2019

I doubt you did any harm at all. Should be just fine. And welcome.

Sod Buster · Mar 19, 2019

You will probably be ok. It's in the,I won't call it paint, outside coloring.

dochou · May 7, 2019

I agree, I don't think the bacteria would wash off easily. Bacterial spores are inherently very sticky and can survive hostile conditions.
So what happened with the tank, did you end up cycling it with extra bottled bacteria?

Garia666 · May 7, 2019

Just use dr tims one and only nitrifying bacteria , youll be up and running in no time.

gl

Judi M · May 7, 2019

I all on month 4? And all is will! Battling a bit of cyno at the moment. And yes I occasionally add bio sephora to help with the good bacteria

Judi M · May 8, 2019

Judi M said:
I all on month 4? And all is will! Battling a bit of cyno at the moment. And yes I occasionally add bio sephora to help with the good bacteria

Sorry, that should have said:
"I am on month 4 and all is well" and "biospira"

Simon Cushing · May 8, 2019

I bought 40lbs of caribsea life Rock 5yrs ago,came in a box Dry. I soaked mine in RO water to rid of the dust, then into my DT left it for six weeks before adding any live stock.
So you are ok with just washing the rock over, so no damage to the Bacterial spores!
Over the years I found that the colour goes, but a build up of coralline algae covers that. So all good.
PS... A very Warm welcome to the forum

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