Live rock question

[Grissino]

I have an extremely stable mixed reef with lots of SPS. I just picked up some beautiful liverock that was in another aquarium. It has a lot of green algae on it and no coralline because it was the base rock. Can I put this directly into my tank without messing up the balance? I need some guidance.

 

[Mike J.]

You can, it won't mess up the balance. But who knows what you'll bring in with it. I'd make sure it was dead first then put it in.

 

[Grissino]

What about if it's dead rock that was pulled out, pressure washed and left out?

 

[fishroomlady]

I'd probably go with the second scenario. I wouldn't want to add in the algae......and possibly bad hitchhikers

 

[Reefing Madness]

I'd bleach it out and dry it before adding it to an exsisting mature system.

 

[reefingonmymind]

Boil it in vinegar & RO/DI water

 

[Chalice palace]

Bake in sun for 3-4 days then wash it in bucket of Rodi water to get debris out then put in display

 

[fagundespavinp3]

Reefingonmymind I thought is was a bad idea to boil anything in a reef tank do to the high risk of palytoxin poisoning?

 

[reefingonmymind]

Rock is just algae covered? I was under the impression the rock was just algae covered with nothing but nuisance stuff on it.

 

[Mike J.]

Use 1/2 cup plain bleach per 1 gal. water for 1 day. Take out and spray off, let dry. Easy and effective like Reefing Madness said.

 

[Stemick]

+1 on what Reef Madness said. When I started my tank I used rock from a mature tank. I wish I would of dried it out and started over with the rock. All it take is that one bad hitch hike to make a large head ach. Little work now = Less work later + less head achs to go with it.

 

[Eienna]

Reefingonmymind I thought is was a bad idea to boil anything in a reef tank do to the high risk of palytoxin poisoning?

Palytoxins are but one hazard. You are correct, DO NOT boil rocks.

 

[reefingonmymind]

Hmm if there are palys or zoos then of course don't boil as there will be a risk of palytoxin. However bare rock with algae an hitchhikers boil away.

 

[NanaReefer]

Personally I would NEVER boil live rock of any kind period! You never know what's hidden deeper inside. Soak the rock in bleach or vinegar, both of which will rinse clean. Much safer way to go.

 

[Eienna]

Regardless of the critters, if there's any fluid or even just air in pockets inside, it has been known to cause enough pressure when boiling to make the rock explode.
If you REALLY want to get everything, bathe them in muriatic acid (you can get it at pool supply sections in stores.) Be EXTREMELY careful with this strong stuff; it's very dangerous to human skin. A much safer, though weaker, alternative is plain white vinegar.