Newbie

[qstorm]

Hello R2R family, i am new to this but always a big fan. Years ago i attempted to set up a mix reef tank which cycled ok and then my house got hit by hurricane Katrina and my tank became none priority. The tank has been sitting since then with the sand and now dead dry rocks.
Here are my questions that i need your expertise on.
1. Do i have to cure the rocks again (I will be adding a tonga rock to the setup that will need curing)
2. Should i dump the sand and start fresh. (no fish or corals was added previously only rocks)
3. Whats the quickest way to cycle the tank ( I know there has been a lot of progress doing this now vs back then)

I have a lot more questions which i will ask later on....

Thank you all
Q

 

[redfishbluefish]

Yes, rock needs to be cured again. I'd suggest watching this BRS video on curing.


As with the video, I'd recommend skipping the acid wash part......bleach only, and then cure in water with water changes as needed.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Personally, I would toss the sand and get new. I hate using old sand. Have tried it many times even after full bleach and still hated it. I just get new now. This is for the random picos I set up and change around.

Good luck (sorry about the past), we are here to help!

 

[dbl]

Welcome to R2R. I agree with getting rid of the sand and yes, I would also recommend curing the rocks again.

 

[deedubz]

Welcome! I also agree with dumping the old sand

 

[qstorm]

Thank you guys, will keep you posted

 

[Jesterrace]

Personally, I would toss the sand and get new. I hate using old sand. Have tried it many times even after full bleach and still hated it. I just get new now. This is for the random picos I set up and change around.

Good luck (sorry about the past), we are here to help!

I agree with this completely. Even live sand costs $1 per pound AT MOST and the amount of effort and the results you will get for trying to clean and save the sand simply isn't worth it in the long run. Curing the rock is easier and obviously replacing it is far more expensive so it's worth it to try and rehab the rock.

 

[Orbela]

I usually recommend reusing your sand just bleach it. Remember when you buy live sand your taking awake from the ocean unless they are lying to us and producing it in the middle of the country. But it’s totally reusable and will be cheaper. Just strip the organ is with bleach

 

[PatW]

There are a pot load of ways to cure rock.

About the easiest way is toss it into a food safe container like a Brute trash can or an aquarium. Put on a power head. Add salt water and wait for a month or two.

If it has a pot load of dead stuff on it, you could put it into your trusty container with fresh water and bleach a few cups goes a looong way. Let sit for a few days. Rinse the dickens out of it. Then cure it in salt water.

You could even add a berserk approach. Some rock has phosphates I need it. Do bleach like above. Then toss into the container with fresh water and add a few cups of muriatic acid known to chemists as hydrochloric acid. You get it at Home Depot. The acid will turn your rock into carbon dioxide and CaCl2. It wii eat off the outer layer of rock. If the rock has nutrients in it, this process should remove it. I have done this with really nasty looking dried rock with good results. And it is fun. But be sure to do it outside and don’t breathe the fuming acid. It is not advised.

Then do the normal cure in salt water.