Hawain_Rob
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Does the Brs reef saver rock leach out any nasty stuff it absorbs after a few years?
True or False?
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mfinn
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Any live rock ( or rock that started out as dry rock) can build up different chemicals such as phosphates over a period of time.
It can and may be released back into the water column.
It can and may be released back into the water column.
Dustin1300
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Agreed, all can release. Typically when I use dry rock I'll soak in a tub and dose Lanthanum Chloride for a bit until I can go a week without phosphates creeping up in the water. After leaching has stopped just rinse in tub of ro/di before adding to tank. Do not dose Lanthanum Chloride directly into reef tank without mechanical filtration and skimming.
I have only ever used dry rock and I have never had a noticeable problem but like the people above me have mentioned all rock can leach chemicals into the water.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Bear in mind this binding can be a benefit as well as a detriment.
When phospahte is rising, all calcium carbonate rock and sand will bind more phosphate and limit the rise.
When phosphate is falling, all calcium carbonate rock and sand will release phosphate and limit the fall.
In a sense it acts as a buffer against changes in phosphate levels.
That said, rock with dead (dried) organic matter will contribute to nutrients when first used as the organics decay.
Also, some mined rock has been exposed to elevated levels of phosphate from ground water for millenia, and so may release phosphate when first put into clean seawater.
When phospahte is rising, all calcium carbonate rock and sand will bind more phosphate and limit the rise.
When phosphate is falling, all calcium carbonate rock and sand will release phosphate and limit the fall.
In a sense it acts as a buffer against changes in phosphate levels.
That said, rock with dead (dried) organic matter will contribute to nutrients when first used as the organics decay.
Also, some mined rock has been exposed to elevated levels of phosphate from ground water for millenia, and so may release phosphate when first put into clean seawater.
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Hawain_Rob
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Do you guys have and idea of how long after rock has been in a tank it will start to leech? O and once it starts to leech does it need to be replaced,cleaned,etc?
Randy Holmes-Farley
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If it has excess phosphate on it relative to the tank water, it will start immediately. The reverse is also true that it binds immediately.
If you are talking about decaying organics, that may take days to begin.
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Hawain_Rob
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What I mean is..after years of rock absorbing phosphates and what not in our tanks..How long before it releases all of the nasty stuff it's absorbed and once it starts to leech out is it time to change your rock? Is the reef saver rock more likely to leech?
