clean live rocks

[xeanliao]

Today, I purchased about 100lb fiji live rock in a reef tank. They have been in it for more than 10 years until today I purchased them.

They are good, must be live, but I can see they have a lot Aiptasia and some turf algae on them. I won't be surprised there are also hidden things. If I can keep them alive, great. If not, I still want to clean them to have a clean start.

May I be guided to clean these rock?

 

[Jisko]

Well I can tell you right now that problems like this are why some stay away from live rock and instead go with dry rock. When I first setup a tank I used live rock and ran into problems with aiptasia. To fight this battle I would use a lighter to heat a screwdriver then burn the aiptasia one by one until they were gone. I'm not sure if this is realistic idea for you because of how much rock you have. I've heard of people doing black outs in order to kill it off but I'd think this would kill off a lot of good things as well. Acid baths are good if you wanna kill off everything but I highly suggest reading up on that method before attempting.

Goodluck

 

[Xclusive Reef]

I agree I would also do a acid bath and start from scratch. At least you know you not starting a tank with a problem. Take the time, cycle a tank and wait it out.

 

[PSLReefer]

If you don't want to mess with acid do bleach

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/d...than-natural-cures-brstv-investigates.306360/

 

[Jisko]

If you don't want to mess with acid do bleach

yes, I actually have done bleach method before.

Now I just order some reef saver from BRS haha... I actually just got 50lbs from them

 

[PSLReefer]

I just did 3 large totes in bleach from the breakdown 1 yr ago. Setting back up! Stinks tho

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

You can treat the live rock like you would a tank. If your concerned with phosphates use phosphate RX. Once you put the rock into a bin with a power head test the po4.

If your concerned with flat worms you can use flat worm exit.
For postol shrimp etc interceptor.

Or for a more general dip targeting both bugs alge and also organics you can use hydrogen peroxide.

All these methods will keep the rock live.

 

[xeanliao]

My #1 objective is to kill all the Aiptasia and worms. I am fine with they become dry/dead rock. Bleach method seems very attempting to me. I think I will do more reseach and learning to decide whether I should try, as the BRS video suggested: safety first

Question: what if I just expose these rocks under the sun for couple of days or weeks? Or just soak them in RO/DI water for as long as it may take, will all those pest all died off? Will these be my option? These are for my future 2nd tank, I love to have a clean start.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Bleach will kill every thing and you'll want to dry it.

Rodi will do very little. It may kill some pests but the longer it soaks it will suffocate the bacteria so you'll have to dry and recycle.

It takes several weeks to dry rock unless you in Arizona. But it works well.

With live rock it only gets so clean. IMO I'd
Not worry about it. If your that unsure consider dry rock. I would prefer to clean live rock than use dry.

 

[xeanliao]

Bleach will kill every thing and you'll want to dry it.
...
With live rock it only gets so clean. IMO I'd
Not worry about it. If your that unsure consider dry rock. I would prefer to clean live rock than use dry.

I am kinda convinced. If I really want to be completed clean to start with, bleach seems safer than acid.

If I just want to make sure those aiptasia and bristol warms gone, what would you think the easiest way, i.e., leave them alone under the sun for a month? It is fairly hot in southern CA now

 

[xeanliao]

Well I can tell you right now that problems like this are why some stay away from live rock and instead go with dry rock. When I first setup a tank I used live rock and ran into problems with aiptasia. To fight this battle I would use a lighter to heat a screwdriver then burn the aiptasia one by one until they were gone. I'm not sure if this is realistic idea for you because of how much rock you have. I've heard of people doing black outs in order to kill it off but I'd think this would kill off a lot of good things as well. Acid baths are good if you wanna kill off everything but I highly suggest reading up on that method before attempting.

Goodluck

I do prefer dry rock. I just could not resist the price of these rocks

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I am kinda convinced. If I really want to be completed clean to start with, bleach seems safer than acid.

If I just want to make sure those aiptasia and bristol warms gone, what would you think the easiest way, i.e., leave them alone under the sun for a month? It is fairly hot in southern CA now

Personally I do t like the bleach. Probaly cuz I know it kills bacteria so I don't want it near the place I'm growing it. Muriatic acid is about as difficult as bleach imo.

Yea it would be a month or so. I'm in SD. Just east of here in Brorrego , it would probaly take three days. Lol.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Oh , other reason acid over bleach. Acid removes organics including phosphates. And the live stuff you just killed. Bleach doesn't.

 

[xeanliao]

Oh , other reason acid over bleach. Acid removes organics including phosphates. And the live stuff you just killed. Bleach doesn't.

The BRS video makes look like it is not for none pro. Those $4 gallon vinegar seems safe and none toxic, that I use to clean and remove accumulate calcium and debris in my tank equipments all the time. Do they work for cleaning up these rocks purpose?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yup. That's an excellent option.
Won't work that great for bound po4 but there's planet of remedies for that later.

Rinse well and keep an eye in the bins of cloudy water from bacterial blooms. Not harmful but you may want to change the water.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The BRS video makes look like it is not for none pro. Those $4 gallon vinegar seems safe and none toxic, that I use to clean and remove accumulate calcium and debris in my tank equipments all the time. Do they work for cleaning up these rocks purpose?

Good research on your part btw.

 

[PSLReefer]

Personally I do t like the bleach. Probaly cuz I know it kills bacteria so I don't want it near the place I'm growing it. Muriatic acid is about as difficult as bleach imo.

Yea it would be a month or so. I'm in SD. Just east of here in Brorrego , it would probaly take three days. Lol.

Well that's the whole point of bleaching or acid... Starting over.

For the OP, if you want a clean start without buying all new rock use bleach. It's cheap, easy and effective. After the bleach bath rinse then off and soak in water then dry.

Here mine after bleaching. Looks brand new.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Well that's the whole point of bleaching or acid... Starting over.

For the OP, if you want a clean start without buying all new rock use bleach. It's cheap, easy and effective. After the bleach bath rinse then off and soak in water then dry.

Here mine after bleaching. Looks brand new.

Yes it's totally an option. Neither are better or worse imo.

The vinegar will keep the rock live if that's a goal.

Knowing what each method does and how it works and finding the comfort level of the reefer is likely most important.

My self I would have taken it the backyard and blown it off with the hose and a pot scrubber and then stuck it a bin with a powerhead. But that's not what was asked.

 

[xeanliao]

Yup. That's an excellent option.
Won't work that great for bound po4 but there's planet of remedies for that later.

Rinse well and keep an eye in the bins of cloudy water from bacterial blooms. Not harmful but you may want to change the water.

okey! I think I am going to give the following that seems easy enough for non-pro like me:

1. 20 gallon of tap water + 2 gallon of those vinegar in a 30 gallon Rubbermaid container. => Q, is 2-gallon vinegar enough?
2. heater and a water pump => Q: what temperature?
3. put these 100+lb fuji rocks in and let them "cure => How long?
4. Rinse, then sun/air dry for a week or two as long as it takes
5. Cycle the rocks with seeding rock from my sump/display tank when my 2nd tank is ready

Does the above seem good? anything you would suggest differently knowing I am not pro?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

You'll make pro soon enough. I hope to.

If your killing the rock you don't need the heater and powerhead.

The initial long soak and let it dry is plenty.

So you can skip right to number five. Then you'll cure and cycle with the powerhead. IMO you may not need the heater unless it get quite cold where you are.