Cooking Rock

[Mike S]

I have about 80 pounds of Pukani dry rock getting delivered tomorrow. After doing some reading it appears that some people have issue with it leaching phosphate and recommend cooking it in a dilute muriatic acid bath. Is this to remove the outer layer of the rock? Are the phosphates usually just in the outermost layer of rock?

I'm going to be putting this in a new tank and adding a few pieces of live rock to seed it once I get everything running. I'm trying to figure out if I should take the time to cook it to save some trouble down the road.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[skinz78]

I've never tried doing it this way, but I think you have it correct. I wouldn't put it in the acid too long though.

 

[Mike S]

Thanks the rock was delivered yesterday and looks cleaner that I expected. I'm a little nervous about doing an acid dip and dissolving too much rock. I might just roll the dice and cycle it in the tank. I'll hold off on the sand until I see if I have any phosphate leaching.