Question on using muriatic acid on rock

[Reefpuck]

I've been reading other threads and just want to make sure I'm understanding and have the right plan of action.

1) 15 minute MA bath.
2) Rinse with hose.
3) Let rock sun dry for a few days.

After this...can the rock be added to a new tank to start a cycle? I'm guessing run GFO would be smart to remove any leaching phosphates left over. I've read a lot of threads where people say they then cure the rock in a brute or something for a month or so before adding to tank. But since it's a new tank, I'd rather get it in there sooner than later and just run a normal cycle.

Any input appreciated!

 

[GlassMunky]

You need to add baking soda to neutralize the acid before you drain the water and rinse the rocks

 

[lakai]

and soak in bleach for a week afterthat.

 

[Thales]

I am confused by this thread and some responses. What are you trying to accomplish? Why would you bleach something after soaking it in acid?

 

[jschultzbass]

I am confused by this thread and some responses. What are you trying to accomplish? Why would you bleach something after soaking it in acid?

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[madweazl]

I used a 20:1 ratio (water:acid) and let it soak for 10-15 minutes. I then dumped a bunch of baking soda in it and flushed it a few times (did it a 36g Brute that I added a ball valve to the bottom of). Refilled it and added the bleach/water mix where it remained for roughly a week. Rinsed it a few more times and then let it dry out in my basement so I could start building my structure. I think it dried for roughly a week before I dumped it in the tank where it sat for four months with a chunk of live rock from my other aquarium. I did have to run GFO for a very short period to remove some residual phosphates but they have stayed low since (believe it was running for a day and a half).

 

[Reefpuck]

Just looking to clean some old dried up live rock.

Sorry should've been clearer. I understand the process with muriatic acid, ratio, neutralizing it with baking soda, safety precautions, etc.

What I'm looking for is can I add the rock to my tank to start a cycle...after the MA bath, rock is rinsed with water and dried out in the sun for a few days.

 

[madweazl]

I am confused by this thread and some responses. What are you trying to accomplish? Why would you bleach something after soaking it in acid?

I did it after watching the BRS video as well (appeared to improve results in the video but I'm sure there are myriad variables that could be the cause).

 

[Reefpuck]

I used a 20:1 ratio (water:acid) and let it soak for 10-15 minutes. I then dumped a bunch of baking soda in it and flushed it a few times (did it a 36g Brute that I added a ball valve to the bottom of). Refilled it and added the bleach/water mix where it remained for roughly a week. Rinsed it a few more times and then let it dry out in my basement so I could start building my structure. I think it dried for roughly a week before I dumped it in the tank where it sat for four months with a chunk of live rock from my other aquarium. I did have to run GFO for a very short period to remove some residual phosphates but they have stayed low since (believe it was running for a day and a half).

Is the bleach step necessary? Wouldn't the MA kill anything that the bleach potentially could?

 

[GlassMunky]

Just looking to clean some old dried up live rock.

Sorry should've been clearer. I understand the process with muriatic acid, ratio, neutralizing it with baking soda, safety precautions, etc.

What I'm looking for is can I add the rock to my tank to start a cycle...after the MA bath, rock is rinsed with water and dried out in the sun for a few days.

Yes

 

[GlassMunky]

Is the bleach step necessary? Wouldn't the MA kill anything that the bleach potentially could?

It’s not about killing things so much....
the acid eats away the top layer of rock exposing the inside, and then the bleach oxidizes everything
They do 2 different things

 

[madweazl]

Is the bleach step necessary? Wouldn't the MA kill anything that the bleach potentially could?

No clue if it made a difference or not. Regardless, it still leached a bit of phosphate but the rock I used was purchased second hand from a guy that was purposely polluting the water with the intent of using the skimmate for fertilization of plants so I'm sure it was nastier than most.

 

[link81]

I would think so,
to me, doing both sounds a little excessive.

 

[GlassMunky]

I would think so,
to me, doing both sounds a little excessive.

Watch the brs video and check the results.... people wouldn’t do it unless there is a clear advantage which there is

 

[GlassMunky]

No clue if it made a difference or not. Regardless, it still leached a bit of phosphate but the rock I used was purchased second hand from a guy that was purposely polluting the water with the intent of using the skimmate for fertilization of plants so I'm sure it was nastier than most.

How do you use skin mate to fertilize plants?
wouldnt the salt in it be bad for the plants?
literally salting the soil

 

[madweazl]

How do you use skin mate to fertilize plants?
wouldnt the salt in it be bad for the plants?
literally salting the soil

No clue, wasn't my project.

 

[siggy]

I just cleaned up some rock after a tear down. Did the acid thing then soaked in freshwater with a little bleach for a week
to break down any meat/worms/bugs that are in the rock and to whiten it up. dry for a week.
Oh if the algae is not rinsing off with the hose it needs a bit longer in the acid bath. GL

 

[Thales]

Got it. Thanks
If you are worried about organics, the bleach way seems the safest and easiest. I would never soak rocks in acid, way too much acid to deal with (the BRS video is good about this), and the amount of phosphate lowered isn't enough to get me to want to mess what that much acid. I hope they rerun the test with nitrate, and then cycle talks with all rock to see if there is a practical useful difference when it really matters. I have 'washed' rock down with 10% to kill stuff.

For the OP, sure you can put it right in.