Dry rock cleaning

[stickman87]

So I just got some dry pukani rock from brs online and was wondering if I needed to do anything special for cleaning before putting in the tank other than rinse it off with water.

 

[Elementalj]

So I just got some dry pukani rock from brs online and was wondering if I needed to do anything special for cleaning before putting in the tank other than rinse it off with water.

If your tank is established I'd suggest submerging the rock in a tub with salt water and a pump. Give it a week or two and test for phosphate and maybe nitrate.

Putting the rock straight into the tank could cause another mini cycle and you'll end up with an algae bloom.

 

[Smo]

I bought 50 lbs and cured for 8 weeks before starting a cycle on a new tank. My Pukani was filled with all kinds of organic material that could not simply be power sprayed out. Soak in a tub with power head and heater. Use cheap salt and salinity can be around 1.020. I did weekly water changes too. Swish the rock just prior to water changes and you will be surprised how much crud comes out. Do this in a well ventilated space. The odors given off in the first couple weeks is overwhelming.
You'll know the curing is complete when ammonia is undetectable and nitrates stop climbing. The water changes helped export detritus, nitrates and phosphates. I also used SeaKlear (lanthanum chloride) to leach the phosphates out.
The rock is working great in my tank now. It cycled in about 2 weeks after the curing period.
Do this right and you will really be happy with it.

 

[blkhwkz]

I gave my 75lbs of Pukani rock a muriatic acid bath, then into a Brute can for 10 weeks using SeaKlear every other day to bind the phosphates still leeching out of it. I changed the water twice in that time. No phosphate problems at all in the tank for the 4+ months it has been in there now. Love the look of Pukani, but it usually has a ton of bound phosphates.

 

[stickman87]

Ok thanks for the advice