How to cure previously used rock and sand

[Matt Carden]

I have 40# of dry previously live rock and 40# of dry previously live sand. When I put the tank in storage 4 years ago all was wet which air dried over time in my storage. Not as much green as I would have thought, really mostly white which is a surprise to me.

My question is what procedure should I use to "cure" this rock in order to add to my system that I just started cycling 3 weeks ago?

I am not concerned about the amount of time it will take because I planned to take extra time to allow my cycle to be mature before adding livestock.

 

[flooddc]

Since the tank is not cycled. I'd clean the rock and rinse the sand really good. Put into the tank and let it cure along with the tank cycle.

 

[Matt Carden]

So no vinegar or bleach soak first?

 

[flooddc]

So no vinegar or bleach soak first?

I usually hose the rocks down and right into the tank. Sand on the other hand is a pain to clean but doable. Have you consider going bare bottom? or may be get new sand.

 

[Matt Carden]

No bare bottom. I like the look of the sand plus gobies and wrasse live in the sand. I may just scrap the sand if I can't get to run clear water