Live rock

marine2463 · Apr 6, 2016

Ok
So I tor down my 30 gallon because I upgraded was wondering, how do I clean old live rock (which is dry now) and put in my new tank
All advice is well appreciated

dbl · Apr 6, 2016

Give it a strong vinegar bath, or use muratic acid. Let it soak in the acid for a while. Remove and thoroughly rinse. Best if you can let it soak/cure for a while in saltwater with a powerhead for circulation, and a heater if needed.

marine2463 · Apr 7, 2016

Do I put straight vinegar or mix with water ?

dbl · Apr 7, 2016

I would mix it with water to dilute it slightly. It can be straight vinegar if the rock is heavily covered with growth. If it's really "bad", you can use a diluted acid bath, just be careful with the acid...it's nasty stuff.

Duke4Life · Apr 7, 2016

dbl said:
I would mix it with water to dilute it slightly. It can be straight vinegar if the rock is heavily covered with growth. If it's really "bad", you can use a diluted acid bath, just be careful with the acid...it's nasty stuff.

+1

BoneXriffic · Apr 7, 2016

Would be quicker with the muratic acid and its pretty cheap at the pool store....need to rince really well though. 50/50 with water is how i use the acid

donnievaz · Apr 7, 2016

If you use Muriatic acid you can neutralize it when you're done with baking soda then rinse. http://www.ehow.com/how_5832680_neutralize-muriatic-acid.html

marine2463 · Apr 7, 2016

Thanks everyone !!!!!
I think I'm going to go with the acid [emoji106]

dbl · Apr 7, 2016

You think wisely...lol. Good luck and get yourself a pair of thick gloves when handling the stuff.

BoneXriffic · Apr 7, 2016

Keep some bakin soda around incase you get it on you unless you want to look like spawn =)

marine2463 · Apr 7, 2016

BoneXriffic said:
Keep some bakin soda around incase you get it on you unless you want to look like spawn =)

lol

marine2463 · Apr 7, 2016

lol !!!! I will thanks

RJS · Apr 7, 2016

BoneXriffic said:
Keep some bakin soda around incase you get it on you unless you want to look like spawn =)

Yes and some blue nitrile gloves. You can get them at Home Depot or Lowes. They're long, so your forearms are protected.

JPergamo · Apr 8, 2016

I gave my old rock an acid bath, one piece of advice I can tell is to just make sure you don't fill the container more than halfway to leave lots of room for the awesome foam that rises. Good luck and be careful. It's really easy though and have baking soda on hand

JPergamo · Apr 8, 2016

Really worked like a charm. Only took about an hour or 2. The acid is much better and faster than vinigar just because it is so strong IMO.

marine2463 · Apr 8, 2016

Wow those look great ...... How do you rinse after just water or do you let them soak ?

JPergamo · Apr 8, 2016

I blasted them real good with the hose to get off any other acid residue and "fried" junk like algae. Everything just melted right off like butter. Then I just soaked them in tap for 2 days changing the water a few times, then let them dry out in the sun for a few days. Then into the tank they went to dry aquascape!