Potassium Permanganate to clean LR

Rybren · Oct 12, 2015

I'm in the process of starting a 120G build and plan to move the contents of my 75G and 10G tanks into the new one. Some of the rock in the 75G is covered in either GSP, ugly green palys that spread like weeds or Xenia.

I know that I could go through the beach/muriatic acid process to strip the rock of all life, but I was wondering if I could just use PP instead and accomplish the same goal. If so, at what concentration and what would be required to neutralize the PP or is neutralizing even required?

Thoughts and thanks

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 13, 2015

It might work fine, but why would you prefer to use it over bleach?

I'm not sure why you want to risk getting a lot of manganese attached to the rock as manganese dioxide. I do not know that it will happen, but there's no such risk with bleach.

Definitely do NOT mix it with acids during the treatment.

Rybren · Oct 13, 2015

Thanks Randy. I don't actually prefer PP over bleach, it was just a thought that popped into my head as I was trying to decide how to best get rid of the unwanted lifeforms on the rock. I know that PP is potent and thought that it might be an option. Sounds like it probably isn't a very good idea.

Bleach it is. I'd prefer not to play around with muriatic acid if possible. Is vinegar suitable to use following the bleach treatment or would a series of simple FW rinses suffice?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 13, 2015

Yes, vinegar works, but is slower and you can't dilute it much.

Rybren · Oct 13, 2015

Thanks, and Happy Reefing!

jcdeng · Oct 13, 2015

don't do it. PP stained my plastic container permanently. I can't imagine what it will do to the porous LR. And if it ever leeches back into the water after your tank is running you will kiss all your inverts good bye.