cleaning old live rock question
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MableShwartz
Community Member
Wherever you cured it is a good place. Just put it in a large tub of some sort with saltwater and a good circulation pump. If you need to get excess gunk off that doesn't fall off use a soft brush. Like a toothbrush.
tobey
Community Member
I've heard of people bleaching their rock when buying dry rock from others. Is that a good idea? I live on the second floor, with no real access to a big enough tub to cure the rock again.
MentalNote
Active Member
There are a couple options.
You can leave the rocks in a tub of saltwater to cure. This will allow the bacteria population to buildup and consume whatever organics are on the rocks. Considering that these are old live rocks with most likely a large amount of organics this can be a lengthy and stinky proposition.
To speedup the curing process you can:
Add bleach - this will remove the organics. Simply let the rocks dry out or dunk it in a water conditioner to remove the bleach.
Add muric acid - this will remove phosphates built-up on the surface of the rocks. To neutralize the acid use baking soda. Make sure you research this heavily if you use this, there are safety precautions you need to take.
Add lithium chloride - this will bond with any phosphates in the rocks and precipitate out. If you are using this in a curing bin there is no risk to livestock.
I would recommend bleaching the rock. Then letting it sit in a bin for a week or so. Test for phosphates, if they are detected add SeaKlear (Lithium Chloride additive) and let that mix for a few days. Test again, if you still have phosphates leaching then add more SeaKlear until it is undetectable. You will want to remove all phosphates from the rock before you add it to your display. I have one rock that has been leaching phosphates for months. You can add Lithium Chloride to a display tank but it needs to be done into a low micron sock (10 micron or so) and very slowly. If the LC does not have enough time to precipitate out in the sock it can cause respiratory issues in fish.
You can leave the rocks in a tub of saltwater to cure. This will allow the bacteria population to buildup and consume whatever organics are on the rocks. Considering that these are old live rocks with most likely a large amount of organics this can be a lengthy and stinky proposition.
To speedup the curing process you can:
Add bleach - this will remove the organics. Simply let the rocks dry out or dunk it in a water conditioner to remove the bleach.
Add muric acid - this will remove phosphates built-up on the surface of the rocks. To neutralize the acid use baking soda. Make sure you research this heavily if you use this, there are safety precautions you need to take.
Add lithium chloride - this will bond with any phosphates in the rocks and precipitate out. If you are using this in a curing bin there is no risk to livestock.
I would recommend bleaching the rock. Then letting it sit in a bin for a week or so. Test for phosphates, if they are detected add SeaKlear (Lithium Chloride additive) and let that mix for a few days. Test again, if you still have phosphates leaching then add more SeaKlear until it is undetectable. You will want to remove all phosphates from the rock before you add it to your display. I have one rock that has been leaching phosphates for months. You can add Lithium Chloride to a display tank but it needs to be done into a low micron sock (10 micron or so) and very slowly. If the LC does not have enough time to precipitate out in the sock it can cause respiratory issues in fish.
