Questions about rock and LR

[heaven425]

I got a great deal on a whole saltwater set up, this is what happened, the guy I got it from was gone for a weekend when his house lost power got back and everything was gone he was so upset that he just put everything that wasn't mechanical into a tote and put it in the garage now it has been sitting there for over 2 years and now I have it. In side was substrate, rock and green algae and dead stuff the rock is gorgeous and I would like to us it at some point in time. What do I need to do to this rock that is now dead and stained green in alot of spots so that it will be safe to use?

Thanks R2R's

 

[ritter6788]

I'd throw the substrate away. The rock can be used but it will have to be cured again. I'd give it a good washing and scrubbing and put it in saltwater with aeration and circulation. It most likely has enough dead matter in it to kick off a cycle. If it won't come clean then you can look into giving the rock an acid bath.

 

[Degener8]

U need to get all the mechanicals and tank clean.
Then far as the sand goes you could rinse it in tap water until it runs clean getting all the silt out of it hopefully leaving as clean as possible sand... but sand is relatively cheap so I would probably just toss it and get new.

Now the rock... personally I would pressure wash the rock to get the baked algae off it and open up some of the pores that would be covered over. Then I would just getit arranged in the tank and be patient. There will be enough organic matter left in them that they will cycle the tank without the addition of additives or shrimp or anything else.. it will just take time to cycle so be patient. A bacteria starter would not hurt if you want to go that way though but its not necessary if your patient.

The problem I have had with rock like this in the past is that if you use a bacterial starter once the original starter bacteria die off as the organics deeper in the rock get to decomposing/processing it can cause a secondary cycle so patience I believe is still needed.

 

[Jgomez324]

You can boil it in a acid base or you can cycle the rock. I cycled my dry rock and it took about a month before the ammonia and nitrate were at 0. I didn't do the boiling but I did bleach them white before I started the cycle. I'm sure others will chime in soon.

 

[Jgomez324]

+1 on patience it's a hard thing to do but taking the proper time will save you in the long run I lost over $200 in coral adding it to soon.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

I would most likely do an acid bath for the rocks. This way I could be sure all the nasties are gone.

 

[heaven425]

Ok so what kind of acid and where would I get it? And for how long?
I will definetly be taking my time.
Thanks everyone for the knowledge much appreciated keep it coming

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Some people have had great success with using muriatic acid. It pretty much takes the top layer of the rock off. I know Young Frankenstein had a video demonstrating it. Hopefully, he will make it resurface. I could not find it.

 

[heaven425]

Thanks everyone, love R2R