Liverock & Ich

[jbeanz24]

Hey everyone. I purchased about 100lbs of live rock from a local reefer who was breaking down a tank. I really didnt want any nasty parasites or pests to transfer over to my system so i have had the rock soaking in my back yard in a rubber maid full of rodi water. The rock has been soaking for a week , is this method enough to kill any ich or velvet that may have been in that reefers system?

 

[HotRocks]

You would need the rock to sit fallow or fishless for 76 days to be sure you don't introduce parasites. Unless you bleach it and then let it dry out.

 

[don_chuwish]

You would need the rock to sit fallow or fishless for 76 days to be sure you don't introduce parasites. Unless you bleach it and then let it dry out.

Agreed. But reading this brought to surface a couple of questions that have been lurking in my brain.
1) I often see the 'let it dry in the sun' or at least 'let it fully dry out' suggestion in combination with rock bleaching. Why? Is rinsing/Prime not good enough?
2) Would my preferred rock cleaning method - vinegar - kill all the baddies just as effectively?

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Agreed. But reading this brought to surface a couple of questions that have been lurking in my brain.
1) I often see the 'let it dry in the sun' or at least 'let it fully dry out' suggestion in combination with rock bleaching. Why? Is rinsing/Prime not good enough?
2) Would my preferred rock cleaning method - vinegar - kill all the baddies just as effectively?

Wondering this as well. The OP also stated it was in RODI water. If this was not mixed with salt and purely fresh water, would it not kill the parasites? Fresh water did knocks them off fish for some release, so would a week be enough to kill them as they are adapted for a salt water environment?

 

[lagatbezan]

I personally do either a acid bath OR bleach bath on any rocks I put inside my tank. This will dissolve any organic matter in the rocks. Keep in mind they will no longer be live after this or RO/DI bath.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

yeah brah.. acid bath for sure. it releases phosphates and any copper leached into the surface as well.

1.tote of water
2.glug glug glug glug of muriatic acid
...probably half a gallon
3. disgusting acid foam is made and goes everywhere.
4. 10 minutes later dump two boxes of arm and hammer baking soda in the tote.
5. rinse well.

instant CLEAN rock.


good to go!! just wear gloves and goggles.