Curing Pukani Rock with a PO4 Remover

[CJ Monty]

So I had suspicion about my pukanini rock. Took a piece out of my DT and bleach it for a week. Used prime to neutralize after. Rinsed and soaked in RODI water for a few days. Threw that water out and put fresh RODI water in. Tested in 24 hours and sure enough I got .2 PO4 using a hannah checker.

I have heard of people using Lanthanum Chloride also referred to as Seaklear. I think this is the stuff? . I also found this which is a lot cheaper but not sure if it is safe?
Also if anyone has any steps on how they did it that would be great. How much/how long/etc...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you are doing it outside a reef on dead rock, you cannot really overdose phosphate removers.

 

[CJ Monty]

If you are doing it outside a reef on dead rock, you cannot really overdose phosphate removers.

Thanks Randy is the Clorox one ok. Is there anything I need to do after I am done using that product? For example with bleach you need to use prime afterward. Or just a good rinsing is enough?

 

[User1]

My recent upgrade used 150 lbs of Dry Pukani. I used a product called phosphate remover max. Long and short of it here is what I did.

1. Unbox, sort
2. Pressure wash
3. Place in 22 gallon boxes / storage boxes
4. Fill with tap water, add power head
5. Add cup of bleach and let sit 24 hours
6. Empty, rinse, refill with tap water, add another cup of bleach, let set 24 hours
7. Empty, rinse, refill with tap water, add phosphate remover and let set 24 hours
8. Empty, rinse, refill with tap water, add phosphate remover and set again for 24 hours
9. Empty and sort of driveway
10. Pressure wash
11. Aquascape tank
12. Fill tank with pre-made saltwater, add in dechlorinator/prime and set 48 hours
13. Add ammonia, wait 24 hours, test to make sure it was correct value, start cycle using fishless method

Not sure that helps but I rinsed, wash, pressure washed and then placed in aquarium then prime / dechlorinator. Pukani will leach I believe for some time based on what I'm experiencing with mine. Nice rock but it takes a long time to mature. And even when I see the rock looking really good if I move a piece the other sides still look bare.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy is the Clorox one ok. Is there anything I need to do after I am done using that product? For example with bleach you need to use prime afterward. Or just a good rinsing is enough?

Rinsing is all that’s needed. I’m not sure of all the ingredients in the Clorox product.

 

[CJ Monty]

Rinsing is all that’s needed. I’m not sure of all the ingredients in the Clorox product.

Is the seaclear I posted the right one to use?

 

[CJ Monty]

My recent upgrade used 150 lbs of Dry Pukani. I used a product called phosphate remover max. Long and short of it here is what I did.

1. Unbox, sort
2. Pressure wash
3. Place in 22 gallon boxes / storage boxes
4. Fill with tap water, add power head
5. Add cup of bleach and let sit 24 hours
6. Empty, rinse, refill with tap water, add another cup of bleach, let set 24 hours
7. Empty, rinse, refill with tap water, add phosphate remover and let set 24 hours
8. Empty, rinse, refill with tap water, add phosphate remover and set again for 24 hours
9. Empty and sort of driveway
10. Pressure wash
11. Aquascape tank
12. Fill tank with pre-made saltwater, add in dechlorinator/prime and set 48 hours
13. Add ammonia, wait 24 hours, test to make sure it was correct value, start cycle using fishless method

Not sure that helps but I rinsed, wash, pressure washed and then placed in aquarium then prime / dechlorinator. Pukani will leach I believe for some time based on what I'm experiencing with mine. Nice rock but it takes a long time to mature. And even when I see the rock looking really good if I move a piece the other sides still look bare.

Thanks for the awesome details!! Which PO4 remover did you use?

 

[User1]

Thanks for the awesome details!! Which PO4 remover did you use?

I will check in the morning but I believe I picked it up from Leslie's pool supply since I was not able to find the seaklear everyone recommends. It is tucked away in the garage since I do not own a pool. I may have also tossed it for that same reason. Phosphate Remover Maximum or something like that. I looked at the MSDS but it says secret blend or proprietary blend.

Seemed to work like what I read because as soon as I poured it in I saw the cloudy white smoke looking swirl. That is why most recommended a power head in the holder to help move the water and product through the rocks.