Making dead live rock live again.

Jrhunter0000 · Mar 8, 2014

Ok so i have over 100lbs of dead rock. It came out of a tank that crashed. I have it outside on the table drying out. Im in the process of moving and when i move im going to start a 125 gallon from scratch. what process should i do. should i let it dry and then rinse with rodi water then put in the tank with a few pieces of live rock while it cycles. Im very new to this hobby! Thanks for all the input and feedback.

mfinn · Mar 8, 2014

If it were me, I would do a bleach soak with the old rock.
Soak it all overnight in bleach solution, then drain and rinse, then soak it overnight in freshwater with a strong dechlorinator solution.

Then you can cycle it with a few pieces of live rock or do the dead shrimp thing.

Jrhunter0000 · Mar 8, 2014

Ok i heard also a vinegar solution. Which one works better? How many parts bleach to water?

mfinn · Mar 8, 2014

IMO bleach is much better. It will make the rock mostly white and clean.

I'd use a cup per 5 gallons of freshwater.

Jrhunter0000 · Mar 8, 2014

IMO bleach?

xthunderx · Mar 8, 2014

I've never used bleach, but vinegar has worked well for me.

Jrhunter0000 · Mar 8, 2014

@xthundwex does it get it white? how long do you soak it?

Reefing Madness · Mar 8, 2014

LIVE ROCK ACID BATH - REEFEDITION

SantaMonica · Mar 8, 2014

Once the "white" rock goes back in the water though, it will just start re-growing periphyton.

mfinn · Mar 8, 2014

Jrhunter0000 said:
IMO bleach?

In My Opinion bleach works better than vinegar.

mfinn · Mar 8, 2014

SantaMonica said:
Once the "white" rock goes back in the water though, it will just start re-growing periphyton.

But atleast you start out with pest free rock.

Ddavis · Mar 9, 2014

Live rock is only live because it has bacteria on it. You do not want any of the other stuff anyway. If you do use bleach then you need to buy some dechlorinater to soak the rock in as well to neutralize the bleach.

I have had no issue either with vinegar.

Many people get confused and think live rock must have coraline algae to be live rock but what you are getting is a healthy beneficial bacteria culture on live rock.

SantaMonica · Mar 9, 2014

I think if you look at stuff growing on (periphyton) and inside a rock with a microscope, you will find hundreds of species of sponges, worms, copepods, and amphipods.