Used Reef Rock

[simplysyran]

I got some reef rock from someone and have some questions about using it. I was told to put it in salt water with a powerhead, do a couple water changes the first day, then change the water 1 or 2 times a week for about a month. I was also told that this rock had come from a tank that had had palythoa and zoanthids so I should absolutely not boil these rocks. Well here's where my questions arise. My husband has been creating structures to use when these rocks complete the cleaning process. They've been processing for a couple of weeks now. Last night, as he was working with them, he experienced a couple of strange things. One, when he applied the super glue to one of them after breaking it, a smokelike cloud formed. Then when breaking another piece, it just crumbled and had what looked like black dirt inside the white rock. So I'm wondering how I know when these rocks are safe to use and if there is a better way to clean them because the saltwater I put them in is 35 ppt when I put them in but then when tested later it is off the charts and not even able to be measured in ppt.

 

[Fishy212]

Sounds like you need to ditch this reef rock... I have palys and zoas in my tank and I have never had issues with the palytoxins. Honestly, if the person whos giving you this reef rock is saying that to you, I would reconsider using it.

 

[pap2]

I had palys the bad kind (i think) in my tank for years. I just removed them.
!. i socked them in bleach & saltwater for about 2 weeks adding water as needed
2 threw away water and added vinegar & water for 1 week adding water as needed
3 soaked with ammonia & water couple days
4 back to bleach then a dechlorinated water
now in tub of saltwater with powerhead.

 

[pap2]

wear a mask and gloves!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

if you break a rock, the sand and detritus inside gets loosed, it looks like a cloud of smoke, but its harmless.

Personally, I buy lots of used rocks from others, but I trust no one. I always put the rocks in a bucket of bleach water for a few days with a powerhead, then rinse and then soak for a few days soaking in rodi water.

 

[Argentum]

Your experience sounds just like what happened in this thread:

The inside of natural live rock. I cracked one open. Take a look inside!

EDIT: I chopped off the beginning to get right to the point: I chopped real natural live rock up for aquascaping about 10 years ago. I saw a lot of (dying) life on the surface of the rock: sponges, algae, tiny bivalves, tiny worms and other tiny squiggly things were on the rock. I guess all...

www.reef2reef.com