Drying rocks with coral for storage

[DracoKat]

Hi all

I have about 3/4 lbs of LR. its covered with GSP and button corals.

I want to save the rocks for future use, but what's the best way to do so? boil the heck out of them and set them in the sun to dry? I don't care if I kill the corals on it.

 

[sfin52]

Hi all

I have about 3/4 lbs of LR. its covered with GSP and button corals.

I want to save the rocks for future use, but what's the best way to do so? boil the heck out of them and set them in the sun to dry? I don't care if I kill the corals on it.

NO DONT BOIL. Buttons / polythoa zoa release toxins that become air born. You do no want to breath that in. Bleach the rocks

 

[DracoKat]

NO DONT BOIL. Buttons / polythoa zoa release toxins that become air born. You do no want to breath that in. Bleach the rocks

and this is why I ask before I do things, thank you

Bleach is OK? I'll stick them in a bucket of bleach outside over night?

 

[sfin52]

and this is why I ask before I do things, thank you

Bleach is OK? I'll stick them in a bucket of bleach outside over night?

Bleach neutralize the toxins. But others may have a different approach. There is an acid bath as well but I dont know much about it.

 

[DracoKat]

ok, so after I bleach, then I boil to clean the bleach out?

I don't think i want to attempt acid.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

ok, so after I bleach, then I boil to clean the bleach out?

I don't think i want to attempt acid.

NO boil period.

Bleach the rocks, then rinse with a garden hose. Place in whatever you want to store them in after they dry out in the sun. The bleach will not stay in the rocks after rinsing and drying.

 

[DracoKat]

NO boil period.

Bleach the rocks, then rinse with a garden hose. Place in whatever you want to store them in after they dry out in the sun. The bleach will not stay in the rocks after rinsing and drying.

thank you, appreciate it!!

 

[MnFish1]

ok, so after I bleach, then I boil to clean the bleach out?

I don't think i want to attempt acid.

You use 1 part bleach to 9 parts water - you can soak for longer than a day. Then you can use a wire brush to take off the coral. You still dont want to boil anything.

When you restart your tank - you will need to go through the process whereby the old stuff that wasnt removed will degrade until you can use the rock.

If it were me - I would donate/trade your living rock to your LFS - and not kill anything. An acid bath will work as well - however - it will also remove a significant percentage of rock - is somewhat 'dangerous' - and you're still likely to have 'dead stuff' on the rock.

 

[MnFish1]

You use 1 part bleach to 9 parts water - you can soak for longer than a day. Then you can use a wire brush to take off the coral. You still dont want to boil anything.

When you restart your tank - you will need to go through the process whereby the old stuff that wasnt removed will degrade until you can use the rock.

If it were me - I would donate/trade your living rock to your LFS - and not kill anything. An acid bath will work as well - however - it will also remove a significant percentage of rock - is somewhat 'dangerous' - and you're still likely to have 'dead stuff' on the rock.

BTW - depending on whats 'on the rocks' - and how much rock you have - you may be better off just storing the rock in buckets of sw - let the stuff die off on its own with periodic water changes.

 

[sfin52]

ok, so after I bleach, then I boil to clean the bleach out?

I don't think i want to attempt acid.

NO boil period.

Bleach the rocks, then rinse with a garden hose. Place in whatever you want to store them in after they dry out in the sun. The bleach will not stay in the rocks after rinsing and drying.

Agree dont boil the rocks at all. You can set out in the sun. The sun will destroy chlorine.

 

[DracoKat]

thanks all, bleaching did well