Re using rock

[Cflip]

I want to reuse my rock in a new tank at a later date but it has algae and perhaps unwanted life as well. How do I kill what’s currently on it to use again months from now?

 

[Ribo15]

I just posted a similar thread. Following. Except I want to reuse again as soon as possible.

 

[Duncan Tse]

Bleach would be the best method imo as it will get rid of all unwanted algae/built up phosphates in the rocks.

To be safe I would cycle it in a bucket for the next few months to get rid of the remaining phosphates bound to the rocks

 

[Cflip]

So drying it won’t get rid if the phosphates? How much bleach do I use?

 

[Cflip]

Bleach would be the best method imo as it will get rid of all unwanted algae/built up phosphates in the rocks.

To be safe I would cycle it in a bucket for the next few months to get rid of the remaining phosphates bound to the rocks

Doesn’t bleach have phosphates?

 

[JReef85]

I just did this on my current tank and I tell you exactly what I did. I bleached the rock for a few days in a covered brute container outside (Ratio 10-1 water to bleach). After I removed it from bucket and laid it out across my driveway and power washed it. After power washing it I allowed it to dry for 3-4 days. I've bleach all sorts of things that go into my tank without any issues. The important thing is to make sure it well rinsed and completely dry before placing back into your tank.

 

[Cflip]

Did you have to cure it for a month or so before using it again?

 

[JReef85]

Did you have to cure it for a month or so before using it again?

Bleach will kill everything so yes you will need to go through another cycle.

 

[ApoIsland]

Did you have to cure it for a month or so before using it again?

Not if you are adding it to a tank with live rock already in there. If you are expecting it to support some fish on its own with no other live rock then you will have to go through the cycle process all over again as it's just dead dry rock after the bleach and drying phase.

 

[Cflip]

So if I’m starting a new tank and not using live rock only live sand can I just toss it in the tank add liquid bacteria and let it cycle there? Or cycle it separately in a garbage can?

 

[JReef85]

So if I’m starting a new tank and not using live rock only live sand can I just toss it in the tank add liquid bateria and let it cycke there? Or cycle it separately in a garbage can?

There is a lot of theories on this. I can tell you from experience I have used bacteria in a bottle with no issues. My 210 I removed all my fish (6 big fish) and placed them in a quarantine at a friends house. I did what I wrote above to my rock. I even thoroughly cleaned my sand and bleached my tank. I filled her back up and put the sand and rock back in. I dosed 3 bottles of BIO-Spira and then but my fish in. I had zero issues.

 

[JReef85]

When I first setup that tank 5 years ago I allowed a full cycle. This time due to my fish being at another location I didn't want them to have to take care of them for a full cycle so I did the bac in a bottle.